Davis v. Sharp (Texas)

This case challenges Texas Senate Bill 8 (S.B. 8), which not only bans abortion at approximately six weeks of pregnancy, but also encourages vigilante harassment of anyone who provides assistance to abortion patients. Since it took effect in September 2021, Texas’ abortion ban has dramatically reduced abortion access in Texas, forced thousands of Texans to travel out of state for care, and significantly delayed their abortion care.

The plaintiffs in this challenge – which include an abortion fund and supporters of abortion funds – are seeking a declaration that the law is unconstitutional in federal district court.  The defendants include private citizens who have threatened to enforce S.B. 8 against abortion funds and their donors, employees, and volunteers, and a Texas State Representative who is making outlandish claims that abortion funds and their associates can be criminally prosecuted for providing financial support to abortion patients.

Wendy Davis, Marva Sadler, Sean Mehl, and the Stigma Relief Fund

Mistie Sharp, Sadie Weldon, Ashley Maxwell, and Briscoe Rowell Cain III

Dorian Vandenberg-Rodes of Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP

Plaintiffs file Complaint

Plaintiffs file Motion for Summary Judgement

Press Release: BREAKING: Wendy Davis, Stigma Relief Fund, and Texas Abortion Fund Supporters File New Legal Challenge to Texas Abortion Ban