Texas bill would allow pharmacists to refuse to give out Plan B, abortion-inducing drugs

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Plan B One-step birth control in CVS Pharmacy, Boston, MA. (Photo by: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

AUSTIN - A newly-filed bill in the Texas Senate would allow pharmacists to refuse to give out pills like Plan B and abortion-inducing drugs.

Senate Bill 1985

What we know:

Texas Senator Bob Hall (R-Rockwall) filed Senate Bill 1985 on Thursday.

The bill would give pharmacists the authority to refuse to dispense drugs that are abortion-inducing or emergency contraceptives.

READ MORE: Texas judge fines NY doctor $100K for prescribing abortion pills to Collin County woman

The bill cites emergency contraceptives with an elevated dose of hormones that are taken postcoitally to prevent the fertilization of an egg or stopping a fertilized egg from being implanted in the uterus.

Texas laws already prohibit the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs through delivery or mail. Another law prohibits doctors without a Texas medical license from treating patients through telemedicine.

If passed, SB 1985 would take effect on Sept. 1, 2025, unless two-thirds of members in both chambers vote in support of the bill.

What we don't know:

It's far from certain what kind of support the bill will have. It has to make it through both the Senate and House.

Dig deeper:

You can read Senate Bill 1985 below.