In Tennessee, a pregnant person cannot get an abortion except in cases of an ectopic pregnancy or a molar pregnancy, or if the mother’s life is in danger. This year, several legislators sought to broaden those exceptions — to no avail.
Sen. Richard Briggs describes ‘biggest disappointment of the session’
Perhaps most notable among those attempts (or planned attempts, anyway) were public declarations from physician Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville) about his intention to bring a bill allowing abortions in cases of fatal fetal anomalies — pregnancies in which the fetus would not be able to live outside of the womb. (Her own experience with a fatal fetal anomaly prompted Allie Phillips to declare her candidacy as a Democrat for House District 75.) Briggs never filed the legislation. Democratic lawmakers sought to allow for exceptions in cases of rape and incest, and for those under age 13 (Tennessee’s age of consent is 18), but those were shot down.
The abortion-related bill that did make it to the finish line was an “abortion trafficking” bill from Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) and Sen. Paul Rose (R-Tipton). Under the new law, any adult who takes a minor out of state to receive an abortion without parental permission could be faced with a felony charge. The vague terminology criminalizing anyone who “recruits, harbors or transports” a minor is something lawmakers tried but failed to straighten out. A similar law in Idaho is under a federal block after advocacy groups argued that it violates the First Amendment (a doctor’s right to discuss abortion with minors) and the Fourth Amendment (a person’s right to travel freely between states).
Behn called out of order as House Democrats see amendments to ‘trafficking’ legislation shot down
Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) sought to offer TennCare coverage continuously for those under 18 (meaning the child would not have to sign up for it), but that was shot down, along with Nashville Democrat Sen. Charlane Oliver’s attempts at child care assistance.
The session brought some good news for international medical graduates, however, who will now be able to moonlight — that is, work while in school — while completing their education in the U.S.
A few opioid-related pieces of legislation never gained traction, including a bill that would have increased penalties for traveling with or exposing someone to fentanyl, and another regarding punishment for those who knowingly fail to seek medical attention for someone overdosing. On the preventative side, a bill that allows doctors to prescribe more patients buprenorphine — an FDA-approved drug used to curb opioid withdrawal and cravings — passed.
Sen. London Lamar says her legislation is entwined with abortion ban
Other bills that stalled involved strict penalties for assault and aggravated assault within a health care facility. A bill offering the “right to die” (in which an adult suffering from a terminal disease could request life-ending medication) … well, died. Another piece of legislation that sought to cap the price of insulin at $35 for a 30-day supply also died. Lamar was successful in passing legislation that will create a maternal health equity advisory committee within the Tennessee Department of Health. Meanwhile, Gov. Bill Lee allotted $3 million for crisis pregnancy centers in this year’s budget.
When SB1903/HB1894 was heard in a House subcommittee, it sounded like a comedy bit, but it did indeed become law: It is now illegal to put vaccines in produce (vegetables, fruits) without labeling them … even though scientists have not yet discovered how to put vaccines in produce. Lee also signed a bill that prohibits the Department of Children’s Services from requiring an immunization for foster parents. Before this change, families had to be vaccinated against the flu and whooping cough in an effort to protect medically fragile children and infants.
From the governor’s failed voucher plan to culture-war legislation and a whole lot more
