- 2023, Abortion
Makes exceptions for a physician’s good faith judgment in the case of abortion.
HB 778 / SB 983
Bill Description
Abortion – As introduced, limits the offense of criminal abortion to only apply to elective abortions; defines elective abortion as any abortion that is not medically necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or to prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.
Bill Sponsors
Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes
Sen. Ken Yager
Bill Co-Sponsors
None
TLRC Statement on Bill
This bill will amend our current abortion laws in Tennessee by allowing a subjective standard for physicians to potentially and willfully permit abortion for a patient in bad faith. This is unacceptable.
The bill would introduce a new definition for the term “medically necessary abortion,” and allow physicians to use “good faith” judgment to terminate a pregnancy.
Current law in Tennessee already supports saving the life of the mother during pregnancy if medically necessary.
Vote Result:
Committee Only
TLRC Position:
OPPOSE
