Texas governor signs 'fetal heartbeat' abortion bill
By Reid Wilson - 05/19/21 11:27 AM EDT
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Wednesday signed legislation that would ban virtually all abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, joining other Republican-led states that have set up legal challenges to the 1973 Supreme Court decision granting a woman’s right to seek an abortion.
The measure Abbott signed would allow most private citizens to sue an abortion provider if they suspect the provider has violated the new ban.
“Our creator endowed us with the right to life, and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion. In Texas, we work to save those lives,” Abbott said in a private bill-signing ceremony Wednesday morning.
The new law will take effect at the beginning of September. Abortions would only be allowed before the presence of a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur as early as six weeks after a woman becomes pregnant.
The law makes exception for medical emergencies.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/554319-texas-governor-signs-fetal-heartbeat-abortion-bill