The Texas Heartbeat Bill that was passed on September 1, 2021, states that after 6 weeks of pregnancy, a woman is no longer allowed to have an abortion. The law specifies after cardiac activity is detected in the fetus (around 6 weeks) abortion is no longer allowed. It is important to note that the heart valve has not even been formed yet, the “heartbeat” is actually electrical activity created by the ultrasound machine. There is no exception for rape or incest but if giving birth is fatal for the mother or damages a major body part then it may be allowed. When asking senior Kevin Steel what he thought about the 6 week time frame he said “I don’t think 6 weeks is enough, I think they should have more time, like 3 months or something.”  Most women take a month to realize they have missed their period, leaving them 2 weeks to decide what they want to do with the baby and if they choose, make a doctor’s appointment to have the procedure. 

Believing that abortion is inhuman and killing a baby, many religious groups are in agreement with the law but junior Kristina Alapi believes differently, “I don’t think there should be laws about it, you should just be able to get one whenever.”

The law bars state officials from enforcing the law making it difficult to challenge on constitutional grounds. However, if a private citizen finds someone who received the surgery, they can sue anyone who “aids and abets” in the procedure for up to $10,000.