abortion travel ban

Three related bills prompted substantial discussions in the Texas House and Senate this year. Two passed.

Senate Bill 31 comes after reporting found that confusion surrounding Texas' abortion ban had resulted in the deaths of at least two women. After receiving final approval from the Texas House on Thursday, the bill now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott.

Abortion is legal in Texas only when the life of the mother or a “major bodily function” is at risk. Doctors, who could face prison time for performing an abortion, have been seeking clarification on the exception.

Amanda Zurawski, who nearly died after being denied an abortion, has been fighting to clarify the medical exception to Texas law for years. For the first time, Republicans might be willing to take up the issue.

Tuesday’s vote was a rare chance for Texans to vote directly on abortion restrictions. The state already has a near-total abortion ban.