AUSTIN, Texas – A Texas Republican state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would reclassify abortion as assault or homicide, the latter of which is punishable by the death penalty.
First reported by the Texas Tribune, state Rep. Bryan Slaton announced via Twitter he has filed HB 3326.
“Today, I filed HB 3326 to Abolish Abortion in Texas,” Slaton wrote. “The bill will end the discriminatory practice of terminating the life of innocent children, and will guarantee the equal protection of the laws to all Texans, no matter how small.”
Today, I filed HB 3326 to Abolish Abortion in Texas.
— Bryan Slaton (@BryanforHD2) March 9, 2021
The bill will end the discriminatory practice of terminating the life of innocent children, and will guarantee the equal protection of the laws to all Texans, no matter how small. #txlege pic.twitter.com/W1lpG4q6G1
The bill additionally bans abortions at fertilization. Most abortions in Texas are currently prohibited after 20 weeks.
It’s been noted that this is not the first time such a bill has been introduced. Republican Texas state Rep. Tony Tinderholt submitted one in 2019 that also classified abortion as homicide.
Abortion remains legal in the United States following the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.