Texas Bill Would Block Websites that Sell Abortion Pill

A new bill introduced by a Texas Republican lawmaker would require internet service providers (ISPs) in the state to block access to any website that sells or assists in obtaining abortion pills, such as mifepristone and misoprostol. The bill also makes it illegal to host or provide domain registration for such websites.

HB 2690, called the Women And Child Safety Act, was filed on February 23rd by state Rep. Steve Toth, who represents The Woodlands, a suburb of Houston. The bill condemns abortion as a “murderous act of violence” that harms women and children.

According to the bill’s text, ISPs that fail to comply with the blocking requirement would face a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day per violation. The bill also authorizes the attorney general or any district attorney to bring an action against any person who hosts or provides domain registration for a website that is “intended to assist or facilitate efforts to obtain an elective abortion or an abortion-inducing drug.”

The bill targets websites that ship abortion pills directly to women in Texas or provide information on how to obtain them online. Some of these websites include Aid Access, Hey Jane, Plan C Pills, and others.

Following strict anti-abortion laws passed by the Texas government, surgical abortions dropped from between 3-5k a month, to only nine in the last three months, all to save the life of the mother.

The bill has been referred to the House State Affairs Committee for further consideration, but it is unclear whether it has enough support to pass the Republican-controlled legislature and be signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.