Gov. Perry Signs Historic Pro-Life Legislation

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today was joined by Texas legislators to stand for
life and sign House Bill 2, which protects unborn babies after the fifth
month of a pregnancy and raises standards for women’s health care in Texas.

“This is an important day for those who support life and for those who
support the health of Texas women,” Gov. Perry said. “In signing House Bill
2, we celebrate and further cement the foundation on which the culture of
life in Texas is built.”

HB 2 builds on Texas’ strong pro-life efforts by banning abortions after the
fifth month of a pregnancy. The bill also requires physicians who perform
abortions to have hospital admitting privileges at a facility within 30
miles. Additionally, it mandates that only a physician may dispense or
administer abortion-inducing drugs, and requires the physician to comply
with all FDA guidelines for the drug. The bill also requires licensed
abortion facilities to meet the same minimum safety standards as ambulatory
surgical centers, beginning Sept. 1, 2014.

“New research and advanced technology give prematurely-born children a
renewed chance at life, which should give us all pause as we argue the
definition of viability and consider the human impact of abortion,” Gov.
Perry said. “Additionally, House Bill 2 ensures that anyone performing
abortions in Texas is doing so in a facility that is safe, clean and
prepared to deal with any emergencies that might occur – a reasonable,
common sense expectation for those caring for the health and safety of
Texans.”

Gov. Perry continues to be a staunch defender of life in Texas. He has
signed legislation requiring parents to consent to their minor daughter’s
abortion, banning tax dollars from being used to support abortion
facilities, and requiring women to have a sonogram before an abortion. The
governor has also fought to ensure Texas women get the health services they
need, including $100 million in new funding to expand women’s health
services and creating the Texas Women’s Health Program.

To view the governor’s full remarks from the bill signing ceremony, please
visit http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/18757/