SINCE the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, several states, including Texas, have started banning the medical procedure.
Now, residents of Texas want to know more about the specific laws in their state and what they mean going forward.
What is the Texas abortion law?
Over the years, Texas has been one of the biggest states to advocate for banning abortion.
The history of banning the procedure in the state dates back to 1857, when Texas was under a near-total abortion ban, according to The Texas Tribune.
If someone had an abortion, it was punishable by up to five years in prison.
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However, there was an exception that allowed the procedure if it would save the life of a patient.
The law remained in effect for over 100 years but was not always enforced.
It was not until 1973 that the Supreme Court made it legal thanks to Roe v Wade, but on June 24, 2022, the members of the Supreme Court overturned the original decision, giving the control back to the individual states.
Now, as of August 2022, the procedure is banned in Texas again, but there is an exception if it would save a woman's life or prevent “substantial impairment of major bodily function," according to The Texas Tribune.
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At this time, there are no exceptions for rape or incest.
What is the penalty for breaking the Texas abortion law?
While it might be illegal to get an abortion in Texas, residents can still travel to other states to seek the procedure.
However, if a doctor performs the procedure in Texas, they could be sentenced to life in prison or fined up to $100,000, The Texas Tribune notes.
What have people said about the law?
Since the abortion ban was put back into place, several people and politicians have criticized the law and Governor Greg Abbott.
Among those who have spoken out is Beto O'Rourke, who is running against Abbott in 2022.
"Greg Abbott enacted the most extreme abortion ban in America with no exception for rape or incest," O'Rourke wrote on Twitter.
"We must defeat him and fight for the freedom of Texas women to make their own decisions about their own body, health care, and future."
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Another abortion advocate said: "Texas needs new leadership. From the power grid debacle to the total abortion ban, Abbott is the wrong choice for Governor."
A third wrote: "Good morning and Happy Hump Day to everyone EXCEPT the American Taliban in Texas, who have just made a Woman's right to choose and control her own body illegal. If you're not furious, you're not paying attention."
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