{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-171.046","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Health and Safety Code § 171.046","heading":"EXCEPTIONS.","body":"(a) The prohibitions and requirements under Sections 171.043, 171.044, and 171.045(b) do not apply to an abortion performed if, in the physician's reasonable medical judgment, the abortion is necessary due to a medical emergency and necessitates, as applicable:\n(1) the immediate abortion of her pregnancy without the delay necessary to determine the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child;\n(2) the abortion of her pregnancy even though the post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 or more weeks; or\n(3) the use of a method of abortion other than a method described by Section 171.045(b).\n(b) A physician may not take an action authorized under Subsection (a) if the medical emergency arises from a claim or diagnosis that the woman will engage in conduct that may result in her death or in substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.\n(c) The prohibitions and requirements under Sections 171.043, 171.044, and 171.045(b) do not apply to an abortion performed on an unborn child who has a severe fetal abnormality.\nAdded by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1, Sec. 3, eff. October 29, 2013.\nAmended by:\nActs 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 758 (S.B. 31), Sec. 6, eff. June 20, 2025.","path":["HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE","TITLE 2. HEALTH","SUBTITLE H. PUBLIC HEALTH PROVISIONS","CHAPTER 171. ABORTION","SUBCHAPTER C. ABORTION PROHIBITED AT OR AFTER 20 WEEKS POST-FERTILIZATION"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.171.htm#171.046","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:17Z","sha256":"ec9367d1cf80f561b0f55f93b1af626dd5e1cd1f002512f905add9ab09d97ca2","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-171.045","next":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-171.047"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}