Texas abortion law written to put providers at a legal disadvantage

AUSTIN, Texas - The new law that bans most abortions in Texas was written by abortion opponents in the Legislature to place clinics and providers at a distinct disadvantage in the legal system.

And it does so by employing a series of unusual provisions, starting with the way Senate Bill 8 will be enforced: by lawsuits filed in a state court by members of the public, whether or not they have any connection to the contested abortion or even live in Texas.