Texas Woman Sues Anti-Abortion Group for Ordering Pills Under State Law

Key points

• Maria Puerto, a 26-year-old mother, filed a lawsuit in Harris County against four members of Students for Life of America, alleging they ordered abortion medication in March 2026.
• The suit invokes House Bill 7, the Woman and Child Protection Act, which prohibits the transport of abortion-inducing drugs within Texas and allows private citizens to sue providers.
• Puerto is seeking $459,782, the average cost of raising two children in Texas, claiming the state's abortion ban prevented her from terminating two unplanned pregnancies.
• The defendants, including Students for Life president Kristan Mercer Hawkins, have called the lawsuit frivolous and a publicity stunt, while Puerto's attorney argues the activists violated the law by ordering the pills.
• This is the first known lawsuit under HB 7 targeting anti-abortion activists rather than out-of-state providers, marking a shift in how the law is being utilized.

Background

This case follows a series of legal challenges to Texas's strict abortion restrictions, including a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Tierra Walker, who died in December 2024 while pregnant. That case alleged that the state's abortion ban deterred medical providers from providing life-saving care. The current lawsuit highlights the evolving legal landscape surrounding abortion in Texas, where private citizens can now sue under HB 7, a law that was lobbied for by the same group now being sued.

How outlets are covering it

The Texas Tribune and The Independent both report on the lawsuit filed by Maria Puerto against four anti-abortion activists. The Texas Tribune provides detailed information on the legal strategy, noting that the lawsuit does not specify how the defendants violated HB 7, but argues that ordering the pills constitutes a violation of the transport ban. The Independent focuses on the irony of anti-abortion supporters being sued under a law they helped pass. Both outlets highlight the defendants' response, with Kristan Mercer Hawkins calling the lawsuit 'frivolous' and a 'publicity stunt.' The Texas Tribune also notes that Puerto plans to donate the majority of any award to Jane's Due Process, a nonprofit that helps young Texans access abortion and birth control.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is significant because it represents a new use of Texas's HB 7, which was designed to target out-of-state abortion providers. By suing anti-abortion activists, the case highlights the potential for the law to be used against those who opposed abortion, creating a new dynamic in the state's legal landscape. The case also underscores the financial and personal impact of Texas's abortion ban on women, as Puerto claims she was unable to terminate her pregnancies due to the state's restrictions and the costs associated with traveling out of state.

What to watch

The case will proceed in Harris County district court, where the court will determine whether the defendants' actions violated HB 7. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the law is interpreted and applied, potentially influencing future lawsuits under HB 7. Additionally, the case may lead to further scrutiny of anti-abortion groups and their activities in Texas.