The bill would prohibit certain partial-birth abortions, would classify the violation of that prohibition as a state jail felony, and would authorize civil action against a physician who conducted the prohibited procedure. The bill would allow a physician to seek a hearing before the Texas Medical Board to determine medical necessity of the procedure. The bill would establish requirements governing the donation of human fetal tissue, placenta, or umbilical cord, and would create a Class C misdemeanor offense for committing certain acts related to fetal tissue donation. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) would be required to develop a standardized consent form for the donation of human fetal tissue. The bill would require certain facilities to submit annual reports to DSHS regarding fetal tissue donations. The bill would add partial-birth abortions to the list of prohibited actions applicable to physicians or applicants for a license to practice medicine, making them subject to disciplinary action by the Texas Medical Board or the revoking of their license. The bill would prohibit the sale or trade of human fetal tissue and would classify the knowing violation of that prohibition as a state jail felony. The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) would be required to adopt any rules necessary to implement provisions of the bill related to fetal tissue donation by December 1, 2017.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.

According to the Health and Human Services Commission, the Office of Court Administration, the Texas Medical Board, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the provisions of the bill can be implemented within existing resources. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions for criminal offenses would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies.

According to the Texas Association of Counties, the fiscal impact to counties to implement the provisions of the bill would not be significant.

Under the provisions of the bill, an offense would be a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000. Costs associated with enforcement and prosecution could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact. In addition to the fine, punishment can include up to 180 days of deferred disposition.