August 26, 2025
Why it matters: Texas has been ground zero for the fight against Chemical Abortion Pill trafficking, with Students for Life Action (SFLAction) leading the charge with the Women and Child Protection Act. The legislation allows lawsuits up to $100,000 against pill traffickers. The Senate version of the bill empowers the Attorney General to sue on behalf of preborn children.
It all started during regular session earlier this year with bills introduced:
- Senate Bill 2880 sponsored by Senator Bryan Hughes passed the Senate and the House State Affairs Committee, but Chairman Rep. Ken King refused to move it any further.
- House Bill 5510 sponsored by Rep. Jeff Leach was also introduced and while it was heard, it did not leave the House State Affairs Committee.
Calls for a Special Session: After the legislative session ended, SFLAction joined Texas Right to Life and other pro-life organizations & leaders in urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to convene a special session for the SFLAction-inspired Women and Child Protection Act back in June.
- Gov. Abbott called a special session, and the bill was filed as SB 6 sponsored by Sen. Bryan Hughes and HB 30 sponsored by Rep. Jeff Leach. SB 6 passed, and no action was taken on HB 30.
- After the first special session ended, the bill was immediately reintroduced as SB 7 for the second special session and passed the Senate State Affairs Committee. A similar bill in the House was also introduced as HB 7.
Democratic lawmakers temporarily fled the state over redistricting reform, stalling the bill’s progress during the special session.
What we’re watching: Now that Democratic lawmakers have returned and a quorum has been restored, attention shifts to whether SB 7 or HB 7 will have votes on the floor.
- A key distinction: HB 7 does not include the Attorney General enforcement provision found in SB 7.
- Action: On August 25th, SFLAction went to the Texas Capitol to lobby in favor of both bills.
- HB 7 passed the House State Affairs Committee.
Key Votes:
During Legislative Session: SB 2880 passed in a 19 to 11 vote in the Texas Senate on April 30, 2025.
It passed the House State Affairs Committee on May 23, 2025 in an 8 to 5 vote, but it did not move to the House Floor.
Special Session: SB 6 passed the Senate during the first special session in an 18 to 9 vote, but it did not move to the House since there was no quorum. SB 7 was voted out of the Senate State Affairs Committee in the second special session in a 10 to 1 vote, and the House State Affairs Committee voted on HB 7 in an 8 to 4 vote.
Testimony on Legislation:
- During Session: SFLAction’s Kristi Hamrick spoke in favor of the companion bill HB 5510 sponsored by Rep. Jeff Leach.
- First Special Session: Student Captain Duke Denman spoke in favor of SB 6 during the first special session.
READ MORE: GROUNDBREAKING: Texas House Committee Passes Women & Child Protection Act AGAIN