SB 2880: The most dangerous texas Bill You’ve never heard of
If you thought SB 8 was extreme, SB 2880 makes it look like a warm-up act. This sweeping Texas bill isn’t just about banning abortion pills- it’s a blueprint for legally sanctioned harassment, censorship, and fear. It targets doctors, parents, pastors, nonprofits, and anyone who dares to help someone in crisis. And as Senator Bryan Hughes, the author of SB 2880, made clear, this is about reviving the harshest abortion laws in Texas history, including criminal charges against women.
🔍 What SB 2880 Actually Does
Behind all the legal jargon and misdirection, here's what this bill really does:
Guts Religious Freedom Protections: Even if your actions are faith-based, you lose Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act protection if they involve abortion-related help (Sec. 4 amends Sec. 110.013 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code).
Lets Anyone Sue Anyone: If you help someone in any way get abortion pills, even from out of state, you can be sued (Secs. 171A.101, 171A.151, 171A.251). Even includes someone who babysits for a person using abortion meds.
Applies to People Outside Texas: Friends, providers, or supporters in other states are vulnerable too (Secs. 171A.107, 171A.157).
Allows 6 Years to Sue: Extended statute of limitations (Secs. 171A.104, 171A.153).
Permits Pre-Suit Discovery: People can demand your records before suing, no evidence needed (Sec. 3 amends Sec. 27.010 Civil Practice and Remedies Code).
Blocks the Courts: Texas courts can't stop enforcement, and judges who try can be sued (Secs. 171A.405–407).
Revives 1925 Abortion Ban: SB 2880 empowers criminal enforcement/imprisonment with no exemption for pregnant women (Sec. 171A.352 + historical law + statement of Senator Hughes).
⚠️ Why It Matters
SB 2880 isn't written to target mere abortion access. It creates legal pathways to go after churches, nonprofits, parents, even judges-anyone who helps in ways politicians don't like. It fosters surveillance, distrust, and could turn neighbors against each other.
🌏 Who Is at Risk
SB 2880 directly threatens:
Doctors
Pharmacists
Parents
Clergy and faith leaders
Volunteers
Nonprofit staff
ANYONE who helps someone in crisis
It will disproportionately harm abuse survivors, low-income Texans, and those facing medical emergencies. It also risks criminalizing support networks and restricting access to information.
👉 How SB 2880 Could Impact YOU
Here are some real-life examples for you to consider:
Helping a Friend: You help your best friend get a ride to a clinic in another state for a medication abortion. Six years later, someone finds out and sues you for helping her. They can go through your phone records, messages, and bank statements without having to prove anything first.
Group Chat Surveillance: You’re part of a group chat where someone asks for advice on what to do about an unplanned pregnancy. If you mention abortion pills, someone in that chat could report you and sue you, even if you’re just sharing information.
Social Media Posts: You post a TikTok about how to access safe abortion resources out of state. Someone in Texas sees it and decides to sue you, claiming you "encouraged" someone to break the law. They can demand your social media records, including private messages.
Babysitting: You babysit for a friend who takes abortion pills. If you know your friend is going to take abortion pills, someone could sue you for "assisting" in the abortion.
College Activism: You join a student group that provides information about reproductive healthcare. If the group offers resources about abortion pills, every member could be sued, even those who didn’t organize or distribute the information.
Out-of-State Support: You’re living in another state for college, but a Texas resident asks you for help finding abortion resources. You help her research safe clinics. SB 2880 extends Texas jurisdiction to people in other states, so you could still be sued.
All these scenarios could result in pre-suit discovery.
The court could compel you to hand over all your text messages, social media, or group chat records, without any evidence of wrongdoing. The law doesn’t allow courts to step in and issue an injunction. You would be required to turn over all the information.
✅ What You Can Do
Call the Texas House Calendars Committee. Ask them NOT to schedule SB 2880 for a floor vote.
Contact your Texas House Representative. Ask them to vote NO if it comes to the floor.
Share this information. Talk to friends, civic groups, journalists, and voters.
Stay engaged. Watch for updates and future calls to action from Wake Up Texas.