Texas Senate Approves and Sends “Born-Alive” Bill to Governor Abbott

The Texas Senate has approved a bill that would punish doctors who fail to treat babies born alive after failed abortion attempts. Doctors could be charged with a third-degree felony and fined at least $100,000.

"Born-Alive" bills have become popular in Republican-led states. On Thursday, Alabama passed its own born alive-bill in the House. It still needs to go through the Senate.

Supporters of House Bill 16 in Texas say it's a response to pro-abortion legislation being considered in other states similar to the Reproductive Health Act recently passed in New York, which has almost no limits on abortion at all.

But many Texas democrats believe born-alive legislation is unnecessary since there is already existing federal law. The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act was signed into law in 2002 by then-President George W. Bush. Democrats also claim that late-term abortions are extremely rare and that House Bill 16 unfairly intimidates and punishes abortion doctors.

House Bill 16 passed the Senate Thursday by a 21 to 10 vote. It's now on its way to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk, where it will likely be signed into law.