Proponents, opponents of controversial "heartbeat bill" anticipate September 1 law
SAN ANTONIO (KABB/WOAI) - In less than a week, more than 600 new laws will take effect in Texas following this spring's legislative session.
Among them, Senate Bill 8, also known as the "heartbeat bill."
The legislation will prohibit any abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
Come next week, September 1, Texas will be the largest state to ban abortions as early as six weeks.
Proponents of the bill like the San Antonio Coalition for Life say they're ready to beef up their presence at abortion clinics to let people know about the change.
"We will be ready with some signs that say 'Heartbeat detected?' We can help. We want the girls who may have had had a surprise going into Planned Parenthood or one of the other abortion locations to know that there is real help available for them," says Cathy Nix, executive director of the coalition.
But pro-choice groups say there's too much ambiguity surrounding the bill including a civil remedy to everyday citizens who could sue providers giving abortions or someone helping a woman get an abortion.
"I think we’re expecting a lot of confusion with people who live in Texas about what abortion access looks like," says Nancy Cardenas Pena director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. "There’s still the back-and-forth with all of the lawsuits regarding SB 8."
Many like Cardenas have been worried about the section of the "heartbeat bill" that allows anyone to report who they suspect to be receiving an abortion.
But supporters of the bill we spoke to say they aren't planning to make that their mission.
"Our main goal is to help the girls coming out," says Nix. "We are not going to be looking for abortionists breaking the law. We are expecting that all the abortionists will follow the law that comes into effect on September 1, they have a lot to lose if they don’t."
Both women say they expect the few weeks after September 1st to be busy.
"We are still getting communication from people who need access to abortion regardless of SB 8 and it’s implementation," says Cardenas.
"We do know that our job is going to be much more difficult as we are going to be helping a whole lot more ladies. We are ready for that, our pregnancy care centers are primed and they are well staffed," says Nix.
