Tennessee Senate Bill SB0762

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/23
• Failed: 2/28/23

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

If enacted, SB 762 would have profound implications by explicitly stating that the state cannot interfere with or restrict an individual’s decisions regarding their reproductive health. Notably, the bill clarifies that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not hold independent rights under Tennessee law, emphasizing the rights of individuals over the state’s interest in unborn life. This could affirm the state's commitment to uphold reproductive health care access, particularly in response to increasing legislative actions in other states that have sought to restrict these rights.

Summary

Senate Bill 762, known as the 'Fundamental Right to Reproductive Health Care Act,' seeks to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code annotated to enshrine and protect individuals' rights regarding reproductive health care. The bill affirms that all persons have a fundamental right to make decisions concerning their reproductive health, which includes the right to access contraceptive procedures, continue a pregnancy, or terminate it through abortion. This represents a significant shift towards affirming and protecting these rights at a state legislative level, reflecting ongoing debates about reproductive rights in the United States.

Contention

However, the bill has sparked notable contention among legislators and advocacy groups. Critics argue that it could reinforce the perception of Tennessee as a state committed to protecting reproductive rights amidst a national backdrop of varying access levels. Supporters claim it is a necessary safeguard against potential future restrictions, while opponents express concerns that such legislative actions could lead to disagreements in interpretations of individual rights versus state interests in public health and moral considerations surrounding reproductive decisions. The bill's path forward is uncertain after it was voted against in the Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighting the contentious nature of reproductive health legislation in the current political climate.