Tennessee House Bill HB2603

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24
• Failed: 2/20/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37; Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to abortion.

Impact

The introduction of HB2603 marks a significant change in the legal framework surrounding abortion for minors in the state. By allowing licensed physicians to perform such procedures under specified conditions, the bill aims to provide a legal avenue for medical professionals dealing with sensitive cases involving very young patients. This could potentially affect healthcare practices and protocols at hospitals and clinics concerning how they handle requests for abortions from minors.

Summary

House Bill 2603 seeks to amend existing Tennessee law regarding the performance of abortions, specifically in cases involving minors under the age of thirteen. The legislation stipulates that a licensed physician is permitted to perform an abortion on a patient in this age group without committing the offense of criminal abortion, provided the procedure takes place in a licensed hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center. Importantly, the physician must confirm the patient’s date of birth prior to conducting the abortion.

Contention

However, the bill is likely to face opposition from various advocacy groups concerned about the implications of easing restrictions around abortions for young minors. Critics may argue that easing the legal constraints could undermine protections for minors and lead to potential exploitation or health risks. It is expected that discussions surrounding this bill will highlight differing perspectives on the legal rights of minors versus parental consent and the role of medical professionals in these sensitive cases.