06-02-2025
Abortion-related bills filed in the 114th General Assembly
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Since the 114th General Assembly has gaveled in and completed their special session on education, immigration and disaster relief funding, Tennessee lawmakers will soon shift their focus to other issues they would like to address through legislation.
One topic that will be address this year is abortion. Currently, lawmakers have filed around half a dozen bills related to abortion.
Here are some of the abortion-related bills lawmakers hope to see passed this session.
The first abortion-related bill filed by lawmakers was filed by Democrats. Nashville Rep. Harold Love and Memphis Sen. Raumesh Akbari filed this bill, which carves out exemptions for what constitutes an abortion in Tennessee.
Specifically, the bill clarifies the use of contraceptives is not included in the legal definition of 'abortion' in the state, including 'any device, medication, biological product, or procedure that is general intended for us in the prevention of pregnancy' as well as the disposal of embryos resulting from fertility treatments.
When Tennessee's trigger law banning abortion went into effect in 2022 after the fall of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, there was confusion around whether or not those receiving IVF treatments would be breaking the law if not all of the embryos created were carried to term. This bill would make clear those receiving IVF would not be running afoul of the abortion ban.
This bill, filed by Brentwood Republican Rep. Gino Bulso and Hohenwald Republican Sen. Joey Hensley, would prohibit someone from mailing or delivering an 'abortion-inducing drug' into the state.
Gun legislation filed in the Tennessee General Assembly
An 'abortion-inducing' drug is defined in the bill as any medication that is intended to be used to terminate the life of an 'unborn child,' including mifepristone, misoprostol, and mifeprex (RU-846). It would not include misoprostol intended to treat stomach ulcers.
If someone violates this statute by mailing the drugs to Tennessee and they are used successfully, whoever mailed them would be liable for $5 million in damages if someone brings legal action within five years.
On the other side of the coin, Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) filed the 'Reproductive Freedom Act.' The bill, as filed, declares every person has a 'fundamental right' to their own reproductive care, including having an abortion or using contraceptives and states a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have 'independent or derivative rights' under state law.
The bill also deletes provisions of current law restricting access to abortions, such as through 'ambulatory surgical treatment center' requirements, requirements for final disposal of fetal remains, a mandate to erect a monument to unborn children with state funds, reporting requirements for those who perform and receive abortions, a requirement to show a pro-life video titled 'Meet Baby Olivia' and more.
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This bill takes a less extreme stance than the 'Reproductive Freedom Act.' Filed by Chattanooga Democrat Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, this bill clarifies that a 'criminal abortion' in Tennessee does not include abortions received after a woman has been the victim of rape or incest.
Tennessee's current abortion ban contains no such exemptions.
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