Posted March 14, 2017 18:47:07

Photo: Jessica Farrar (top left) said the bill was intended to make a point. (Twitter: Jessica Farrar)

A Texas politician has proposed a bill which would fine men $100 for masturbating in a bid to flip the switch on the struggles women face in accessing reproductive healthcare — particularly regarding abortion — by targeting men.

House Bill 4260 was submitted by Jessica Farrar, a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, and states that masturbation "will be considered an act against an unborn child".

As per the bill, "emissions outside of a woman's vagina, or created outside of a health or medical facility" would attract a $100 fine for "failing to preserve the sanctity of life".

But HB 4260 bill is not intended to pass — Ms Farrar said it was "satirical" and intended to make a point.

"What I would like to see is this make people stop and think," Ms Farrar told the Texas Tribune.

HB 4260 would require men to receive a booklet titled A Man's Right to Know, which mirrors the language of A Woman's Right to Know, an information booklet doctors in Texas are required to give to women seeking an abortion.

The booklet has long been criticised as outdated and biased, with one section linking abortions to breast cancer despite the scientific community refuting the claim.

The bill would also require men to submit to rectal exams and sonograms when seeking vasectomies, Viagra prescriptions or colonoscopies, and give doctors the right "to invoke their personal, moralistic or religious beliefs in refusing to perform an elective vasectomy or prescribe Viagra".

"Although HB 4260 is satirical, there is nothing funny about current health care restrictions for women and the very real legislation that is proposed every legislative session," Ms Farrar said in a statement.

"Women are not laughing at state-imposed regulations and obstacles that interfere with their ability to legally access safe health care, and subject them to fake science and medically unnecessary procedures."

Photo: There are 18 clinics providing abortions in Texas and the state has strict access laws. (Supplied: Susan Kotzur-Yang)

Bill draws ire of Republicans

The bill was blasted by Tony Tinderholt, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives who recently put forward a bill proposing abortion providers and women who receive abortions be charged with murder.

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Mr Tinderholt said he was "embarrassed" for Ms Farrar.

"Her attempt to compare to the abortion issue shows a lack of a basic understanding of human biology," Mr Tinderholt said in a statement.

Shortly after being sworn in as US President, Donald Trump reinstated a global gag rule shortly banning US-funded groups around the world from discussing abortion — a widely expected move that nonetheless dismayed women's rights advocates.

According to CNN, there are 18 clinics providing abortions in Texas — that number has dropped from 44 in 2014, after further restrictions on doctors and clinics were passed in a state with already strict laws.

Topics: womens-health, mens-health, reproduction-and-contraception, abortion, women, world-politics, health, united-states