Special Session Ends with Important Insurance Reform but Without a Privacy Bill

In an important piece of pro-life legislation, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 214 (HB 214), which will protect Texans from paying for the abortions of others through their tax dollars and health insurance premiums. Under this new law Texans will not be forced to pay for elective abortions through their insurance plans. The bill limits insurance coverage for abortion procedures.

Disappointingly, SB3/HB46, the Texas Privacy Act, was blocked and ultimately stopped by Speaker Joe Straus and Rep. Byron Cook. The bill, which would keep men out of girls’ showers, restrooms, and changing areas, had the support of nearly 80 percent of Republican voters.