BREAKING: Brent Money Bill To Criminalize Birth Control, Classify Abortion As Homicide

Texas Republicans push new bill granting zygotes full legal protection.

In their latest crusade to control reproductive rights, Republican House Rep. Brent Money (R-HD02) introduced a bill that would redefine life as beginning at fertilization. On the surface, he’s marketing this bill as a “protection for unborn children.” However, hidden in the legal jargon is a sweeping redefinition that could criminalize commonly used birth control methods like IUDs, emergency contraception (Plan B), and even IVF.

This bill doesn’t just aim to ban abortion. It also threatens access to reproductive healthcare under the guise of granting embryos full legal rights. If passed, this law could open the door to criminal charges for those using or providing birth control that might interfere with implantation. Texas Republicans seem determined to outdo themselves in their assault on personal freedom and bodily autonomy.

What does the bill say?

HB2197 asserts that unborn children are human beings with complete legal protection from the moment of fertilization. It amends various sections of the Texas Penal Code and Civil Practice and Remedies Code to equate crimes against zygotes and embryos with crimes against living individuals.

Not only that, it repeals existing laws that provide exceptions for abortion-related acts and allows broad prosecution of offenses involving embryos.

While Money claimed this bill was about stopping abortions, it goes so much deeper than that. It would classify the termination of any zygote or early-stage embryos as homicide, effectively turning doctors, patients, and even those who use certain forms of birth control into potential criminals.

The only exceptions provided in the bill are lifesaving medical procedures if the mother’s life is at risk and spontaneous miscarriage.

The bill argues that zygotes and embryos should have the same rights and protections as born individuals, using religious and ideological justifications, referring to “the sanctity of human life created in the image of God.”

Women who use birth control under this bill could receive the death penalty.

Under this bill, women who use certain types of birth control could theoretically face charges of homicide, a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty under Texas law.

Since HB2197 redefines life as beginning at fertilization, it criminalizes not only abortion but also any action that might interfere with the development of a fertilized egg. Birth control methods like IUDs and Plan B, while primarily designed to prevent fertilization, can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. Under the new definition, this could be interpreted as the intentional destruction of a legally recognized “individual,” placing it under the umbrella of homicide.

This radical shift in legal interpretation doesn’t just target those seeking abortions. It threatens anyone who uses or provides contraception that might affect implantation. Doctors prescribing these birth control methods, pharmacists distributing them, and even women who use them could be criminally prosecuted. Providers might face felony charges, potentially ending their careers and subjecting them to years in prison, while women could be charged with murder for making personal healthcare decisions.

The implications are profound and far-reaching. Fear of prosecution could lead to widespread medical denial of care, with doctors and healthcare facilities refusing to offer contraceptives altogether to avoid liability. Pharmacies might stop stocking emergency contraception like Plan B. Family planning clinics could be shuttered, and patients may face invasive questioning and surveillance regarding their reproductive health choices. The legal ambiguity in how these situations would be prosecuted would deter many from seeking reproductive care altogether, leaving them without access to essential health services.

The criminalization of these healthcare decisions would particularly harm low-income women, women of color, and those in rural areas who already face significant barriers to medical access. With birth control effectively under threat, unintended pregnancies and the accompanying health risks would likely rise.

In this dystopian framework, reproductive healthcare is no longer a right but a potential crime.

What about IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) could also face devastating restrictions under this bill. The IVF process typically involves fertilizing multiple eggs outside the body to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. However, not all fertilized embryos are implanted; some are discarded, stored, or donated for research.

Since the bill grants full legal rights to embryos at the moment of fertilization, any unused or discarded embryos could be treated as victims of homicide. Fertility clinics and doctors who follow standard IVF procedures could be charged with criminal offenses for failing to implant every fertilized egg.

Additionally, couples seeking fertility treatments might face intense legal scrutiny over how embryos are handled, effectively reducing access to IVF. Patients could be forced to undergo unwanted procedures, such as implanting all viable embryos, or risk legal action for “destroying” an embryo.

The result is a full-scale assault on reproductive autonomy. By criminalizing widely used birth control methods and essential fertility treatments, HB2197 does not protect life. It undermines the fundamental right of individuals to make private healthcare decisions. Under the guise of “equal protection for the unborn,” Texas Republicans are further entrenching state control over reproductive choices, with devastating consequences for women, families, and healthcare providers across the state.

By redefining life as beginning at fertilization, this bill criminalizes abortion at all stages and threatens access to commonly used contraceptives and fertility treatments like IVF.

The consequences of this legislation would be devastating. Texas would see increased barriers to essential healthcare, particularly for marginalized groups already facing limited access. Clinics could close, healthcare providers might refuse services out of fear of legal repercussions, and patients could be subjected to invasive surveillance and prosecution for making personal medical decisions.

This is not about protecting life. It’s about using the legal system to control women’s bodies and strip away their ability to make decisions about their own futures. By criminalizing contraception and medical care, HB2197 would push Texas further into a dystopian nightmare where healthcare is governed by fear, ideology, and punishment. If passed, the bill would not only destroy lives but set a dangerous precedent for eroding reproductive rights across the nation.

• January 31: Left In Texas Podcast - Representative Christina Morales

• February 2: Senate Finance Committee - Article III (Education and voucher scheme funding)

• March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.

• June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.

• Click here to find out what Legislative districts you’re in.

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