TEXAS, USA — What would happen if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade?
This has been the question on many people's minds after a draft opinion from Supreme Court justices on overturning the law that protects the right to abortion was leaked.
In short, if Roe v Wade was overturned, states would have the power to make their own laws regarding abortion rights.
In Texas, if Roe v Wade was revoked, abortion bans would go into effect almost immediately because of its "trigger law" which was passed last year by the Texas Legislature.
What is Texas' trigger law?
The Texas "trigger law" or "Human Life Protection Act" would outlaw abortions in Texas if the U.S. Supreme Court reverses Roe v. Wade.
It will make nearly all abortions in the state felony crimes and doctors could face life in prison and fines up to $100,000.
Attorney General Ken Paxton clarified that the "Human Life Protection Act" will take effect 30 days from the court's judgment on Roe v. Wade, which is separate from today's opinion.
"A judgment is a legal document distinct from the Court’s opinion. The Court will issue its judgment only after the window for the litigants to file a motion for rehearing has closed," Paxton said in a statement. "A judgment can issue in about a month, or longer if the Court considers a motion for rehearing."
On top of that, anti-abortion advocates said the goal is to add civil penalties to the law.
Texas likely won't be the only state banning abortion.
Seth Chandler with the University of Houston Law Center sad about 25 states are going to have very strict limits on abortions.
Now there is one exception to the "trigger law," women can get an abortion if their lives are at risk.
