AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas House is expected to pass new restrictions on when, how and where women may get an abortion. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on Wednesday in a final step sending House Bill 2 to the Senate. A Senate committee will consider the measure on Thursday as it works its way to becoming law.
The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks.
Gov. Rick Perry and top Republican leaders have made passing the bill their signature legislation going into the 2014 elections. Democrats oppose the measure and protesters have called it a thinly disguised attempt to ban abortion. Supporters say it protects the health of women and babies.