Donna Howard Files Bill To Repeal Texas Abortion Bans And Limits On Gender Care For Minors
State Rep. Donna Howard filed House Bill 126, which would repeal Texas abortion bans including the Heartbeat Act and the 2022 trigger law, plus limits on gender care for minors. It is not law.
AUSTIN, Texas – State Rep. Donna Howard of Austin has filed a bill for the 2027 legislative session that would repeal Texas abortion bans, including the 2021 Texas Heartbeat Act and the trigger law that took effect in 2022, along with the state ban on gender transition procedures and treatments for minors, according to the filed text of House Bill 126.
Howard, a Democrat who represents House District 48 in Travis County, filed the bill on Nov. 9, the first day lawmakers could prefile bills for the 90th Legislature, according to Texas Legislature Online. The bill caption says it relates to “repealing or replacing medically unnecessary and outdated health care restrictions.”
The bill is not law. It would have to pass the House and the Senate and be signed by the governor. If enacted, it would take effect Sept. 1, 2027, according to the introduced text. The regular session begins Jan. 12, 2027.
What The Bill Would Repeal
Section 9 of the introduced bill lists 46 provisions of state law to be repealed. They include:
- Chapter 170A of the Health and Safety Code, the near-total abortion ban lawmakers passed in 2021 as a trigger law that took effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade
- Subchapter H of Chapter 171 of the Health and Safety Code and related sections created by Senate Bill 8, the 2021 Texas Heartbeat Act, which lets private citizens sue anyone who performs or aids an abortion after cardiac activity is detected
- The Health and Safety Code subchapter added by Senate Bill 14 in 2023 that bars gender transition procedures and treatments for minors
- Chapter 6-1/2, Title 71 of the Revised Statutes, the state abortion laws that date to before Roe v. Wade
- Chapter 33 of the Family Code, which covers parental notice and consent when a minor seeks an abortion
- Chapter 245 of the Health and Safety Code, the state abortion facility licensing law
The bill would also rewrite the state legal definition of abortion as “a medical intervention provided to individuals who need to end the medical condition of pregnancy.” It would remove several abortion-related items, and performing gender transition treatment in violation of state law, from the list of prohibited practices that can lead to discipline against a doctor’s medical license, according to the text.
Howard Calls It A Full Reset
“Rather than start off with something like an exceptions bill, I wanted to offer a full reset. It would repeal all these barriers put in place over time and restore decision-making to women and their healthcare providers,” Howard wrote in a Nov. 12 post on her official X account.
Post by State Rep. Donna Howard (@DonnaHowardTX) on X.
Senate Democrats File Their Own Bills
Senate Democrats filed abortion bills the same day. Senate Bill 231, by Sen. Carol Alvarado of Houston, relates to “exceptions to and the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion.” Senate Bill 243, by Sen. Molly Cook of Houston, relates to the regulation of abortion, including infant supportive palliative care and exceptions to state abortion laws, according to Texas Legislature Online.
San Antonio Sen. Roland Gutierrez and Sen. José Menéndez are listed as coauthors on both Senate bills, according to the state legislative website.
Where Statewide Leaders Stand
The filings follow the Nov. 3 election, in which Democrats won the races for governor, attorney general and other statewide offices, according to Texas Secretary of State returns. The Maverick Times reported on the election night results. Democrats also won a majority in the Texas House, while Republicans kept control of the Texas Senate, according to other local news sources.
Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa made abortion part of her campaign. In a January campaign statement, her campaign said she “vows to end Texas’s extreme abortion ban.” “As governor, I will ensure that every woman has the right to privacy, dignity, and care,” Hinojosa said in the statement.
Since the election, Hinojosa has said she intends to work with Republican lawmakers to make sure doctors are no longer prosecuted for providing abortions in medical emergencies, according to other local news sources.
Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson, a Dallas Democrat who now serves in the Texas Senate, has said he will not continue outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton’s practice of suing out-of-state doctors who send abortion medication to Texas patients and that he will review pending cases, according to other local news sources.
“I will not pursue the judicially absurd position that Texas law has extra territorial effect. I can honor other states’ shield laws,” Johnson said, according to other local news sources.
Any of the bills would need to pass both chambers, including the Republican-majority Senate, before reaching the governor.
Also read: Texas Democrats File Bills To Legalize Marijuana For Adults 21 And Older
Sources: Texas Legislature Online, HB 126 bill history, 90th Legislature | HB 126 introduced bill text | SB 231 bill history | SB 243 bill history | State Rep. Donna Howard post on X, Nov. 12, 2026 | Gina Hinojosa campaign statement, January 2026 | Texas House member page for Rep. Donna Howard | Texas Secretary of State election results
Photo: State Rep. Donna Howard. Official Texas House portrait.
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