Tennessee House Bill HB1895

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/24
• Refer: 1/25/24
• Refer: 2/13/24
• Refer: 2/21/24
• Refer: 4/17/24
• Chaptered: 5/31/24
• Passed: 5/31/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 6; Title 29; Title 37 and Title 39, relative to abortion.

Impact

The legislation seeks to reinforce parental authority over minors concerning reproductive health decisions, aligning with a broader trend of tightening abortion-related laws in many states. By legalizing avenues for civil liability against individuals who might engage in abortion trafficking, HB 1895 emphasizes the state's position on parental notification and consent. This could potentially impact healthcare providers, sponsors of youth travel, and other entities involved in the care of minors, requiring them to be more vigilant about compliance with the law regarding minors seeking abortions.

Summary

House Bill 1895 aims to amend several sections of the Tennessee Code concerning abortion, specifically addressing the issue of abortion trafficking concerning minors. The bill establishes penalties for adults who facilitate or recruit pregnant unemancipated minors for abortion services without parental consent. If enacted, this bill would define such actions as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by nearly a year of imprisonment. Additionally, the bill provides legal grounds for civil action against individuals who violate its provisions, potentially allowing for significant damages to be sought on behalf of unborn children involved in such cases.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 1895 appears to be divided, with strong support from conservative factions emphasizing parental rights and protection of minors from potentially exploitative situations. Conversely, there are concerns from various groups regarding the implications of such a law, particularly regarding the autonomy of minors and increased barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare services. Critics may argue that these regulations could lead to dangerous situations for vulnerable youths who might seek such services in unsafe environments due to the fear of legal repercussions for those assisting them.

Contention

Notably, discussions regarding HB 1895 may promote significant contention over the balance between parental rights and the rights of minors to make autonomous healthcare decisions. There are fears that such legislation could disproportionately affect marginalized youths who may already face challenges in accessing necessary healthcare. Ultimately, if passed, this bill will require careful scrutiny in its implementation to ensure that it upholds both the intention to protect minors while also safeguarding their rights to make informed choices about their reproductive health.