Texas Statutes
Subchapter H. Detection of Fetal Heartbeat
Section 171.201. Definitions

Sec. 171.201. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Fetal heartbeat" means cardiac activity or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac.
(2) "Gestational age" means the amount of time that has elapsed from the first day of a woman's last menstrual period.
(3) "Gestational sac" means the structure comprising the extraembryonic membranes that envelop the unborn child and that is typically visible by ultrasound after the fourth week of pregnancy.
(4) "Physician" means an individual licensed to practice medicine in this state, including a medical doctor and a doctor of osteopathic medicine.
(5) "Pregnancy" means the human female reproductive condition that:
(A) begins with fertilization;
(B) occurs when the woman is carrying the developing human offspring; and
(C) is calculated from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period.
(6) "Standard medical practice" means the degree of skill, care, and diligence that an obstetrician of ordinary judgment, learning, and skill would employ in like circumstances.
(7) "Unborn child" means a human fetus or embryo in any stage of gestation from fertilization until birth.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 62 (S.B. 8), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.

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