Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

Tennessee House Bill HB0829

Introduced
1/30/23  
Refer
2/2/23  

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 20; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to reproductive health care.

Impact

The bill proposes significant amendments to existing provisions within Tennessee Code Annotated, affecting multiple titles related to health care and reproductive rights. It aims to remove certain restrictions and limitations imposed on individuals concerning reproductive health, signaling a shift towards safeguarding personal choice in family planning and reproductive decisions. Specifically, it disconnects the rights of a fetus from those of the pregnant individual, which could align Tennessee's law with those of other states that protect reproductive health more broadly.

Summary

House Bill 0829, known as the 'Fundamental Right to Reproductive Health Care Act,' aims to define and secure the fundamental rights related to reproductive health in Tennessee. It establishes that every individual has the right to make decisions about their reproductive health, including the ability to access or decline contraceptive methods and the right to terminate a pregnancy. This bill explicitly states that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not possess independent rights under the law, emphasizing the individual's autonomy over reproductive decisions.

Contention

Despite its intent, HB 0829 has faced resistance and failed to pass in the Population Health Subcommittee of the Health Committee. Critics argue that the bill does not sufficiently address the complexities surrounding reproductive health and fails to provide necessary safeguards against potential governmental overreach in regulating individuals' reproductive choices. Detractors also express concern about the implications of such broad rights without adequate constraints, fearing that it might lead to legal disputes over reproductive health services and access in Tennessee.

Companion Bills

TN SB0762

Crossfiled AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 20; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to reproductive health care.

Previously Filed As

TN HB0027

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 20; Title 29; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to reproductive health care.

TN SB0187

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 20; Title 29; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to reproductive health care.

TN SB1189

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to abortion.

TN HB1217

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to abortion.

TN SB1010

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to contraceptives.

TN HB1220

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to contraceptives.

TN HB0533

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63 and Title 68, relative to reproductive health care.

TN HB1241

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 53; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to women's health.

TN SB1425

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 53; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to women's health.

TN SB0449

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63 and Title 68, relative to reproductive health care.

Similar Bills

TN HB0297

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 2; Title 11, Chapter 15 and Title 67, Chapter 5, relative to the Agricultural, Forest and Open Space Land Act of 1976.

TN SB0247

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Chapter 14, Part 2; Title 11, Chapter 15 and Title 67, Chapter 5, relative to the Agricultural, Forest and Open Space Land Act of 1976.

TN HB2025

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 49, relative to Charlie Kirk memorials.

TN SB1959

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 49, relative to Charlie Kirk memorials.

TN HB1177

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52, relative to persons found incompetent to stand trial.

TN SB0963

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52, relative to persons found incompetent to stand trial.

TN SB2231

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 59; Title 60 and Title 68, relative to the production of oil and gas.

TN HB2535

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 59; Title 60 and Title 68, relative to the production of oil and gas.