Tennessee House Bill HB0010

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/8/22
• Refer: 1/12/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 15; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to women's health.

Impact

If enacted, HB0010 would lead to a tightening of the legal framework surrounding abortion in Tennessee, introducing new criminal penalties for violations. Under the proposed bill, criminal abortion would be classified as a Class C felony, indicating a serious legal consequence for practitioners who do not comply with the specified conditions. This change is likely to have profound implications for women's health services in Tennessee, as it would limit the conditions under which legal abortions could be performed, potentially affecting women's access to necessary medical care.

Summary

House Bill 0010 is a legislative act aimed at amending various sections of Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically concerning women's health and the regulation of abortion procedures. The bill proposes significant changes to the definitions and penalties associated with performing abortions, specifically criminalizing the act of abortion unless performed under very particular circumstances as determined by licensed physicians. This includes stipulations that the abortion must be deemed necessary for protecting the physical or mental health of the woman or in cases where the pregnancy results from aggravated offenses such as rape or incest.

Contention

The bill has prompted discussion and contention among various stakeholders, including lawmakers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups. Proponents of HB0010 argue that the bill is necessary to protect women’s health and uphold ethical standards regarding abortion practices. However, critics contend that it imposes undue restrictions on a woman's right to choose and could lead to dangerous outcomes for women who might be denied access to safe abortions. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential chilling effect on physicians, who may face legal repercussions for performing necessary medical procedures under ambiguous circumstances established by the bill.