AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A senate committee has heard testimony on a bill that would tighten rules for doctors prescribing abortion pills.
Sen. Dan Patrick laid out Senate Bill 97 to the Senate Health and Human Services on Tuesday, the first step to passing the bill into law.
The Houston Republican wants to turn the drug manufacturer's guidelines into state law. Doctors frequently prescribe drugs in ways that differ from established guidelines.
Patrick's bill would require doctors to only prescribe the drug known as Ru486 to women in the first seven weeks of her pregnancy and following a physical examination by the doctor. The woman must take the pill in a clinic.
Advocates for abortion rights say the measure will only make it more difficult and expensive for women to receive an abortion.
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