Transcript Highlights:

• ban since before that law even passed.
• SB 31 matches the definition of medical emergency to existing state law.
• And we feel our current abortion laws and climate place all women, and especially Black women, more at
• We already have the laws that govern care.
• And I couldn't be more excited to be on the right side of this law.

Keywords: SB31, medical emergency, reproductive health, testimonials, abortion laws, Texas

Summary: This transcript is from a Faith Days at the Capitol press conference supporting Texas abortion-related legislation, especially Senate Bill 31 and House Bill 44, referred to as the “Life of the Mother Act.” Speakers said the bills would clarify the medical-emergency exception in Texas law so doctors can provide evidence-based care when a pregnancy threatens a patient’s life or health, and several noted concerns about delayed treatment, loss of fertility, and women leaving Texas because of uncertainty under current law. Faith leaders from Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Jewish, and other traditions described pastoral experiences with women and families affected by the abortion ban and said their religious beliefs support protecting the life of the mother. Multiple speakers emphasized that the current legal climate has created fear for pregnant Texans, especially those facing miscarriage or high-risk pregnancies, and argued that SB 31 would restore clarity, physician discretion, and religious freedom. Several also linked the issue to broader concerns about maternal mortality, including the higher risks faced by Black women, and framed the bill as a matter of bodily autonomy and family well-being. A Catholic attendee and clergy members shared personal stories about daughters, granddaughters, and congregants who could be harmed by delayed care. Representative Charlie Geren, the House author of HB 44, said the bill was the most important he had carried in his 24 years in the Legislature and pledged to work to get it passed. Representative Josie Garcia also spoke in support, saying existing medical ethics and malpractice rules already hold providers accountable and arguing that supporting mothers is consistent with being pro-life. The event concluded as a coordinated advocacy effort, including mention of a postcard campaign that had gathered more than 6,000 submissions since January 14.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as I mentioned earlier, the abortion industry, um, in Texas as a result of the laws that we've passed
• However, abortion was specifically excluded in that 2003 law. OK. What's the question?
• Um, an abortion was performed in another state where abortion is legal.
• The, the bill includes the pre-Roeban, that's the 1925 law, um, in the list of enforceable criminal abortion
• laws.

Bills: HB 229, HB 3990, HB 5082, HB 5510

Keywords: biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, flags, display, state law, municipalities, government buildings, drug enforcement, local control, home rule, municipal charter, county policy, ordinance preemption, state preemption, attorney general enforcement, civil penalties, mandamus

Transcript Highlights:

• Holt and Ryan, my daughter and son; Sarah's husband Michael; brother Doug; his wife Kim; brother-in-law
• Daryl—that's Kim, brother-in-law Darrell—that's that.
• reminded because I know that we hear a lot of things, but you know the Bible starts out with over 200 laws
• But, you know, the Bible starts out with over 200 laws, then it goes to 10, then it goes to 3, then it

Bills: HB1168

Keywords: abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, methotrexate, pro-life, pro-choice, reproductive health, unborn child, trafficking, felony, contraception, pharmacist, pharmacy, Title 63, Oklahoma statutes, abortion pill, drug distribution, criminal penalty

Summary: The Senate first came to order after repeated quorum calls, then devoted a long portion of the meeting to farewell remarks for Senator Darcy Jech. Jech reflected on his 12 years in the chamber, his rural district, campaign experiences, major events during his tenure, and the importance of relationships, compromise, and service. Numerous senators followed with personal tributes, praising his steadiness, humility, faith, work on devotions and the Rural Caucus, and his reputation as a thoughtful, respectful colleague and family man. After the farewell segment, the Senate moved to executive nominations. The chamber unanimously confirmed Sharon Shell Millington as Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Clayton Bullard as Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health, and Clayton Bullard as administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. The Senate then approved a slate of Tier 2 nominations, including appointments to the Home Inspector Examiners Committee, the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology board, the State Fire Marshal Commission, the State Board of Health, the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, the Forensic Review Board, the Oklahoma State Credit Union, the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, the Alarm, Locksmith, and Fire Sprinkler Industry Committee, and the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. No debate or opposition was recorded on the nominations, and the votes were overwhelmingly or unanimously in favor. After announcements, the Senate agreed to recess and then adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah, Aholt, and Yan, my daughter, and Sonarrah's husband, mi Brother Doug, his wife Kim, brother-in-law

Bills: HB1168

Keywords: abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, methotrexate, pro-life, pro-choice, reproductive health, unborn child, trafficking, felony, contraception, pharmacist, pharmacy, Title 63, Oklahoma statutes, abortion pill, drug distribution, criminal penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• be guilty of abortion has to do with the actual definition of abortion.
• To the medical definition of an abortion is a miscarriage, which is a spontaneous abortion.
• And when we pass a law, what's the thing that they're gonna do to run the law that we passed?
• that we continue to pass law after law after law after law under the guise of ending abor, And we don't
• Abortion rates.

Bills: HB1168

Keywords: abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, methotrexate, pro-life, pro-choice, reproductive health, unborn child, trafficking, felony, contraception, pharmacist, pharmacy, Title 63, Oklahoma statutes, abortion pill, drug distribution, criminal penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you support the choice to have an abortion?
• It is the law of the land.
• We've expanded our right-to-try law.
• So, yes, I think the key issue with this is that it's lawful admittance and not necessarily lawful presence
• where abortion is performed, end quote.

Bills: HB216

Keywords: HB216, Texas abortion law, abortion-inducing drug, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, telemedicine, in-person exam, physician presence, out-of-state physician, reproductive healthcare, abortion regulation, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, consultation services, remote prescribing, pro-life, pro-choice

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Bills: SB2, SB3, SB5, SB 9, SB10, SB14, SB16, SB18, SB34, SB6, SB7, SB8, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB 17, SB 4

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects, builders, developers, local government, real property theft, real property fraud, criminal offenses, restitution

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a 49-year-old law that requires reports of induced abortions. ...that requires reports of induced
• abortions, just for the record.
• The law on abortion in New Mexico is now very clear. In 2021, the criminal statute was repealed.
• So, under current law, are the identities of doctors performing abortions kept confidential?
• That's already in current law.

Bills: SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• This law went into effect in 1977; obviously, the landscape on abortion healthcare has changed dramatically
• Board of County Commissioners and said it creates a statutory right to abortion under state law.
• This bill removes the last thread of transparency from our state's abortion laws.
• This bill repeals an existing abortion reporting requirement in New Mexico's vital statistics law and
• It's abortion providing its abortion care.

Bills: SB41, SB33, SB32, SB30

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, individualized treatment, investigational treatment, health care, life-threatening illness, patient rights, physician recommendation, informed consent, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child protection, prosecution, crime amendments, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned earlier, the abortion industry in Texas, as a result of the laws that we've passed and
• It includes laws for prosecution for abortion, including prosecution of women.
• based on an abortion that was legal and performed out of state. State the 2003 law again.
• However, abortion was specifically excluded in that 2003 law. Okay, what's the question?
• The Roe ban, that's the 1925 law, in the list of enforceable criminal abortion laws.

Bills: HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510, HB229

Keywords: biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, flags, display, state law, municipalities, government buildings, drug enforcement, local control, home rule, municipal charter, county policy, ordinance preemption, state preemption, attorney general enforcement, civil penalties, mandamus

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know what Louisiana's abortion laws are. It's just the first one that came to mind.
• Of the 1973 laws that allowed them to have choice, my mother had an abortion.
• It makes it harder to do something against the law; I was more stating a fact that abortions are still
• Yes, I do believe that if you're attempting to stop abortions, this law would make it easier to stop
• These laws include Texas' pre-Roe abortion statute, leaving the door open for dangerous misuse by the

Bills: HB229, HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510

Keywords: HB 229, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county dues, county association, state association of counties, lobbying, lobbyist, public funds, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Government Code Chapter 556, Local Government Code Section 89.002, legislative advocacy, municipal government, county government, city government, special district

Transcript Highlights:

• to enforce any Texas abortion law that carries criminal penalties.
• Being on the side of the law. Thank you. We don't condone illegal abortion.
• Although Texas has strong pro-life laws, abortion continues to enter our state.
• Texas already has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.
• ...our own doctors that, and I agree with this law 100% regarding outlawing abortion.

Bills: SB10, SB16, SB6, SB 6, SB 10, SB 16

Keywords: trafficking, prostitution, affirmative defense, victims, criminal justice reform, victim rights, criminal justice, judicial reform, court procedures, mental health services, criminal penalties, court security, SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life

Transcript Highlights:

• Section D, a law enforcement agency hiring a license holder.
• I have about 25 years of law enforcement experience, a lot of that spent as a law enforcement officer
• This is the best thing in the world for law enforcement.
• be released to any agency or person unless required by law.
• How is the public going to trust law enforcement?

Bills: SB7, SB14, SB 7, SB 14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Abortion laws in this state might want a word with you.
• I can't wait to break this law, and I am a law-abiding citizen.
• It will be hard, and if this bill becomes law... If this bill becomes law, it will be even harder.
• So either you fall under 143 state law or 552, the other state law governing FOIA requirements.
• They're not above the laws they protect.

Bills: SB7, SB14, SB 7, SB 14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, there are 4 primary abortion laws in the state of Texas.
• It conforms the definition of medical emergency used in abortion laws to match the exception in Chapter
• laws.
• to help in understanding Texas's abortion laws.
• You know, we have a law that prevents taxpayer funds from paying for abortions, the Heartbeat Act.

Bills: SB 31, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 1868, SB 2024, SB 2166, SB 2309, SB 2880, SJR 27, SJR 39, SJR 40

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• That may be in violation of their state law, but not in violation of our state law.
• This is covered under federal law.
• This is a 49-year-old law that requires the reporting of induced abortions to the state.
• Abortions would be one.
• So we often take case law and clarify it in our laws. That's where we got this language.

Bills: HB195, HB279, SB30, HB234, HB292, SB100, SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records

Bills: HB0003, HB0004

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , provide, refer for, or promote abortion, provide, refer for, or promote abortion, abortion<00:04
• through with the abortion. through with the abortion.
• I even know of cases where law enforcement have been called in welfare checks in states where abortion
• Now the abortion abortion reversal pill.
• , abortion inducing drug, of abortion, abortion inducing drug, contraception.<01:10:48.400> Uh

Bills: HB0003, HB0004

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has a law prohibiting abortion already in place.
• Abortion pills are coming in by mail to Texas and is a violation of the existing law.
• So this is the way for the abortion industry to bypass the law, great law that was passed, uh, and, uh
• The abortion industry continues to circumvent our laws through the promotion of illegal abortion pills
• Much of the confusion and liability concerns surrounding Texas's abortion laws were addressed by SB 31

Bills: HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• And, um, I find it interesting because the evangelicals were for abortion when Roe v.
• were for abortion when row vade<00:02:19.360> was<00:02:19.599> first<00:02:20.800>
• <00:04:44.800> But<00:04:45.040> he nothing about abortion. Nothing.
• But he nothing about abortion. Nothing.
• of established law. Thank you so much. of established law. Thank you so much.

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all