Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP)
Texas imposes extra restrictions on abortion providers, despite the fact that all health-care providers already must comply with a variety of federal and state regulations governing health, safety, building and fire codes, and zoning requirements.
Restrictions on Where Abortion Services May Be Provided
Texas places medically unnecessary restrictions on where abortion services may be provided.
Providers, including private physicians, who perform more than 50 terminations per year must become licensed as abortion facilities. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 245.002 (Enacted 1989), Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 245.004 (Enacted 1989; Last Amended 2003).
Abortion facilities must comply with dozens of administrative and professional-qualification requirements. 25 Tex. Admin. Code § 139.1- 139.60. For instance, abortion providers must have admitting privileges at a local hospital or maintain an arrangement with a physician who has such privileges. Nothing in the regulations requires hospitals to grant such privileges. 25 Tex. Admin. Code § 139.56. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 245.017 (Enacted 1997).
A court upheld the constitutionality of the vast majority of these TRAP regulations. Women's Med. Ctr. of N.W. Houston v. Bell, 248 F.3d 411 (5th Cir. 2001).
Restrictions on Who May Provide Abortion Services
Texas prohibits certain qualified health-care professionals from providing abortion care.Only a physician licensed by the state may provide abortion care. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 245.010(b) (Enacted 1985; Last Amended 2003).
