New Texas Law Protects Doctors in Pregnancy Emergencies

In a significant moment for Texas health policy, Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law Senate Bill 31—the Life of the Mother Act—legislation authored by Senator Bryan Hughes and backed by a wide, bipartisan coalition of lawmakers from both chambers. The law, which takes effect immediately, clarifies and expands medical exceptions to the state’s abortion restrictions in situations where the life or serious health of a pregnant woman is at risk.

The measure passed both the Texas Senate and House with overwhelming support: 31-0 in the Senate and 134-4 in the House. These votes reflect a broad consensus among lawmakers that Texas law must offer clearer protections for physicians acting in good faith to save a woman’s life during pregnancy-related emergencies.

Sen. Hughes led the charge in drafting the bill. In doing so, he was joined by a wide range of legislators—including Senators Carol Alvarado, Cesar Blanco, and Judith Zaffirini, as well as dozens of co-sponsors in the House such as Ann Johnson, Donna Howard, Lacey Hull, Angelia Orr, and many others. Their collective efforts signal a noteworthy moment of cross-party cooperation in one of the nation’s most polarized policy arenas.

The Life of the Mother Act clarifies that physicians may intervene when a woman has a life-threatening physical condition, even before symptoms become imminent or irreversible. It establishes that medical professionals may use reasonable medical judgment to provide care—including the treatment of ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages—without fear of prosecution, as long as the death of the unborn child is accidental or unintentional.

Importantly, the law also outlines that treatment decisions should prioritize both the mother’s health and the opportunity for the unborn child’s survival—unless doing so would further endanger the mother. New definitions and guardrails are codified to ensure legal clarity for doctors and hospitals navigating complex medical decisions under existing abortion laws.

The bill also mandates continuing education for attorneys and physicians regarding the state’s abortion laws and exceptions, aiming to ensure that those affected understand their legal responsibilities and protections. The Texas Medical Board and State Bar are both tasked with rolling out educational programs before January 2026.

While much attention has been paid to the legal debates surrounding abortion in Texas following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, SB 31 demonstrates how legislators from across the political spectrum can still find consensus—particularly around protecting pregnant women in life-threatening medical situations. Lawmakers voiced support throughout the session for clearer legal standards that shield doctors from ambiguity and uphold patient care without undermining the broader framework of Texas’ abortion restrictions.

In its final version, SB 31 reflects the guidance of recent Texas Supreme Court rulings, including Zurawski v. State, which spotlighted the need for statutory clarification following legal challenges from women denied care under the state’s abortion ban.

With the Governor’s signature now in place, Texas has taken a step toward addressing those concerns—not by reopening the broader debate on abortion access, but by refining the boundaries of medical exceptions in a way that both pro-life and pro-medical freedom legislators were willing to support.

The law is now in effect.