A RESOLUTION to propose an amendment to Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee, relative to rights of persons.
If enacted, this amendment would have significant implications for state laws regarding individual rights, particularly in relation to reproductive rights and the legal status of unborn children. By affirming personhood at fertilization, it may pave the way for legal challenges to abortion laws and potentially limit legal access to abortion in Tennessee. This shift could result in a legal environment more aligned with pro-life advocacy, impacting medical practices, women's rights, and the overall landscape of reproductive health care within the state.
HJR0007 is a resolution proposing an amendment to Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee that seeks to establish explicit protections for individual rights within the state's legal framework. The proposed amendment states that a person shall not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law and ensures that no one is denied equal protection of the laws. Importantly, the resolution defines 'person' to include every human being from fertilization to natural death, which aligns the legal recognition of personhood with pro-life principles.
The proposal has generated considerable debate among lawmakers and advocacy groups, with proponents arguing that it reinforces fundamental rights and enhances protections for the most vulnerable, including unborn children. Opponents, however, express concerns that the amendment could undermine women's rights and access to comprehensive reproductive health care, framing it as a potential overreach of governmental authority into personal health decisions. These contrasting viewpoints highlight the polarization around reproductive rights in Tennessee and the potential ramifications of legally redefining personhood.