WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HJR 24

Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing an individual's right to personal reproductive autonomy.

89th Legislature, 1st Called Session (2025) Introduced by Vikki Goodwin

Texas proposes constitutional amendment protecting individual reproductive autonomy rights, potentially invalidating state abortion restrictions.

Filed
#abortion(i0005) #resolutions--constitutionalamendments(i0661)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJR 24

Legislative bill overview

HJR 24 proposes a constitutional amendment to the Texas Constitution that would establish an explicit individual right to personal reproductive autonomy. This would create a state-level constitutional protection for reproductive decision-making, potentially overriding or limiting existing state restrictions on abortion and related reproductive healthcare decisions.

Why is this important

Texas currently has some of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws, including a near-total ban with limited exceptions. A constitutional amendment establishing reproductive autonomy would fundamentally alter the legal landscape in the state and could invalidate existing restrictions. This represents a direct constitutional challenge to the current regulatory framework governing reproductive healthcare in Texas.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "reproductive autonomy": The amendment's language would need to define what decisions fall under this protection—whether it covers abortion access, contraception, fertility treatments, pregnancy management, and at what stages of pregnancy protections apply
  • Competing constitutional interests: Opponents would argue about whether fetal life or potential life has constitutional status that could limit reproductive autonomy claims
  • Amendment process barriers: Texas constitutional amendments require approval by two-thirds of both chambers and then voter ratification, making passage politically challenging given current state legislative composition
  • Interaction with federal law: The amendment's scope relative to potential future federal restrictions or the Supreme Court's evolving jurisprudence on abortion rights would create legal ambiguities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.