Several states with near-total abortion bans have introduced legislation seeking to make their medical exceptions clearer

A bill that clarifies the medical exceptions to the state of Texas' near-abortion ban could be headed to the governor's desk as early as Thursday. It comes as lawmakers in the Texas House gave preliminary passage of the legislation Wednesday afternoon.

A bipartisan bill meant to clarify when doctors can perform emergency abortions in Texas will soon be headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Senate Bill 31 standardizes the definition of medical emergency and clarifies that a physician need not wait until the risk to their patient's life is "imminent.