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Texas could soon have another law on the books aimed at strengthening its strict abortion ban. House Bill 7, passed by the Legislature, gives private citizens the right to sue anyone who distributes, manufactures or mails abortion medication into the state.

Blake Rocap, legislative counsel for Avow Texas, said the bill doesn't target expectant mothers.

"Texans who are pregnant and don’t wish to be can still travel to other states where abortion is legal," he stressed. "The bill does not allow a pregnant person themselves to be sued and their having an abortion is not illegal. People in Texas will still be able to see a doctor in another state."

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Under the bill, Texans can sue for up to $100,000 dollars. Supporters of the legislation say it protects the unborn and pregnant women from what they call poisonous, illegal drugs.

The current Texas abortion ban only allows doctors in the state to prescribe abortion medication if the mother’s life is in danger. Pregnant people have gotten around the law by leaving the state or seeing an out-of-state doctor through telehealth appointments. Rocap said anti-abortion lawmakers hope HB7 closes that loophole.

"Texas has not been able to export these regulations of abortion to other states," he continued. "So this law is an attempt to export Texas’ policy preferences across the country."

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued a New York county clerk for refusing to file a judgment against a doctor accused of prescribing abortion drugs to a Texas woman. Doctors in some states without abortion bans are protected by shield laws.

The legislation allows for a lawsuit to be filed if the plaintiff claims someone intends to violate the law. Rocap said he believes the cases will eventually go before the Supreme Court.

"By setting up the enforcement like this, and creating the cause of action only for intent, the anti-abortion movement doesn’t have to wait for any actual facts or activity to happen, nor do they have to wait for any particular person to be able to claim harm," he concluded.