Tennessee House Bill HB2462

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24
• Refer: 2/27/24

Caption

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

Impact

The implications of HB2462 could affect the applications and enforcement of abortion-related laws within the state. By establishing this lower threshold, the bill could result in fewer individuals or organizations being classified under certain regulatory guidelines. This could streamline the regulatory process for specific healthcare providers and facilities, reflecting a shift towards more localized legislative actions concerning abortion services.

Summary

House Bill 2462 seeks to amend existing regulations concerning abortion in Tennessee. Specifically, the bill alters language in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-15-218(h), by reducing the defined population threshold for certain provisions from two percent (2%) to one percent (1%). This revision implies that regulations that may have been applicable to a larger population now apply to a significantly smaller group, potentially limiting the scope of those regulations to a more focused demographic segment.

Conclusion

As the bill proceeds through the legislative process, the impact on current abortion law in Tennessee will be closely monitored. Stakeholders from both sides of the issue will be critical in evaluating how the adjustments made by HB2462 will ultimately influence healthcare practices and individuals' access to abortion services within the state.

Contention

During discussions surrounding HB2462, there was notable contention regarding public health and access to abortion services. Proponents of the bill may argue that the amendment enhances state control and oversight of abortion practices, which they believe is necessary for ensuring healthcare standards. However, opponents are likely to highlight that lowering the population threshold could infringe on access to necessary services and undermine established protections for reproductive health.