House Bill 214 requires that women purchase separate insurance coverage for elective, or non-emergency abortions. It will go into effect on December 1, 2017, and apply to health insurance plans that are issued on or after April 1, 2018. Authored by Representative John T. Smithee, the bill is one of four abortion regulation bills that were introduced during the 85th special session, and one of two that made it to the Governor’s desk before the session’s close. It was signed by Governor Abbott on August 15, 2017.