Six-Week Abortion Ban Introduced In Texas Legislature

A six-week abortion ban was introduced in the Texas Legislature the same day as governor Rick Perry signed a different bill banning abortions after 20 weeks.

House bill 59 was filed on Thursday by state Representatives Phil King, Dan Flynn, and Genie Morrison. It would match the most severe abortion ban in the country by outlawing e procedure if a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

Many women don’t know they are pregnant until after six weeks, reports The Huffington Post. A spokeswoman for Flynn explained that the bill has no chance of passing, let alone being debated.

Rather, it is meant to make a statement. The spokeswoman explained, “We fully understand and recognize the bill won’t be heard, and they’re okay with that. They want to at least put this on the radar for 2015.”

The six-week abortion ban would be on par with a similar law passed in North Dakota earlier this year. that law is currently the most restrictive abortion law in the country and is being contested in court.

Despite knowing the bill will not see debate, at least this year, abortion rights activists were riled by its filing. The current abortion bill will take effect in October and will ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation, notes The Houston Chronicle.

It also requires doctors who perform the procedure to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles. Abortion clinics will also now have to meet the same standards as surgical centers. Rep. King also explained of the six-week abortion ban bill:

“I filed the fetal heartbeat bill because the heartbeat of an unborn child is an important indicator that there is life, and that this life must be protected. Although the bill cannot be formally considered until the Legislature reconvenes in January of 2015, I hope its merit will be examined during the coming legislative interim.”

The newest abortion regulations already make Texas one of the most extreme anti-abortion states in the country. Planned Parenthood has announced it will close three clinics in the state as a result of the bill. Only one of the clinics performs abortions.