Texas Senate Eyes Lawsuits Against Abortion Drug Makers, Adds Protections for Trafficking Victims

A Texas Senate committee is weighing two significant bills, one aimed at curbing access to abortion-inducing drugs, and another that would broaden legal protections for human trafficking victims.

Senate Bill 6, filed by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R), would allow private Texans to sue manufacturers and distributors of abortion pills, regardless of where the drugs originated. The measure mirrors the enforcement model of the state’s 2021 “Heartbeat Bill,” which relied on civil lawsuits rather than state prosecution. Damages would start at $100,000 per violation.

“This bill targets the companies profiting from illegal abortions in Texas,” Hughes told the Senate State Affairs Committee, emphasizing that SB 6 does not penalize women who take the pills.

He argued that weakened FDA standards have made abortion pills riskier, citing insurance data suggesting higher complication rates than surgical procedures.

Though abortion is already banned in Texas except in rare medical cases, Hughes’ bill aims to further discourage the supply of pills from out of state. A similar proposal passed the Senate earlier this year but failed in the House.

The committee also considered SB 10, authored by Sen. Tan Parker (R), which would expand the legal definition of “duress” for victims of human trafficking.

Under current Texas law, duress applies only in cases involving immediate threats of death or serious injury. Parker’s bill would allow trafficking survivors to claim duress if their actions were coerced through fraud, threats, or psychological manipulation, excluding violent crimes like murder or kidnapping.

“Traffickers use fear and manipulation, not always violence, to force victims into criminal activity,” said Parker.

A prior version of this bill was vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in 2023 over concerns it was too broad. SB 10 addresses that by limiting its scope to lesser offenses.

Both bills remain under consideration.