Constitutional amendment securing individual medical rights from government oversight.

HJR 28

Bill Description

Constitutional Amendments – Proposes an amendment to Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee to grant a person the right to forgo medical treatment.

Bill Sponsors

Bill Co-Sponsors

House: Powers

TLRC Statement on Bill

HJR 28 proposes a constitutional amendment that would secure the right of every Tennessean to make personal medical decisions free from government mandates. This amendment explicitly states that no person can be compelled to undergo medical treatment, including during a declared state of emergency. The definition of “medical treatment” includes any medical procedure, drug administration, vaccination, or other intervention aimed at diagnosing, treating, preventing, or mitigating a physical or mental condition.

This amendment is critical to protecting individual medical freedom and ensuring that the government can never again impose mandates like forced vaccinations, medical procedures, or other health interventions. The passage of this measure would override any state-adopted mandates that originate from agencies such as the CDC, WHO, or other federal health authorities, ensuring that Tennessee residents are never subjected to federally dictated medical requirements.

Additionally, HJR 28 grants the General Assembly authority to enforce this constitutional protection, ensuring that future legislatures cannot impose new medical mandates that violate individual liberty. By enshrining this fundamental right in the Tennessee Constitution, this amendment shields citizens from government overreach, upholds bodily autonomy, and ensures that personal health decisions remain in the hands of individuals, not politicians or bureaucrats.

Vote Result:

Committee Only

TLRC Position:

SUPPORT

Read the Bill