TLRC position
Oppose
2023 · Abortion
Alters the legal definition of an abortifacient.
HB 1084 / SB 0885
Bill description
Abortion - As introduced, states that the term abortion, as defined for the offense of criminal abortion, does not include the use of contraceptives, including hormonal birth control, intrauterine devices, or emergency contraceptives.
Abortion - As introduced, states that the term abortion, as defined for the offense of criminal abortion, does not include the use of contraceptives, including hormonal birth control, intrauterine devices, or emergency contraceptives.
Bill sponsors
TLRC statement
This bill would clarify that "emergency contraceptives," like the Plan B (morning-after) pill are legal and not considered abortion. However, most pro-life medical doctors do consider Plan B an abortifacient because it either causes a fertilized egg not to attach to the uterine wall, or in some cases, detach from the uterine wall.
An additional concern is that the simple use of the term "emergency contraceptive" is dangerous because the accepted definition of that phrase can change over time. It is not legally defined in law.
For those who hold firm in their belief that life begins at conception, the use of an "emergency contraceptive" is an abortion. Please make no room for abortions here in Tennessee.