Tennessee has chilling effect on abortion
Criminal reporting laws and potential sentencing could deter abortion care
The potential felony offense that doctors may face in Tennessee for performing abortion has had a chilling effect on reproductive care. They can say that they were trying to save the life of their patient. But it’s unclear whether it would work in all circumstances.
“Who's to say what will happen or what will be the outcome,” said Briana Perry, a member of the steering committee for Healthy & Free Tennessee, a reproductive justice organization.
Tennessee has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country. It had a trigger ban pass in 2019. Thirty days after Dobbs, it went into effect. The clinics that operated in Tennessee have now based their operations in nearby states. Lawmakers have attempted to create exceptions to the abortion law.
Antiabortion legislators have sought to pass a number of laws, including House Bill 0090, which prohibits local governments from allocating funds to assist a person in obtaining an abortion.
Lawmakers have sought to pass laws that create exceptions, such as House Bill 101, which excludes criminal charges for abortion if it’s performed to prevent death or serious bodily function to a pregnant woman. That law also permits abortions in cases of rape and incest. A police officer must confirm to a physician that this has happened to file a report against the guilty party.
Another bill requires victims to report the offense to law enforcement prior to abortion. Activists can point out that would deter many victims from having an abortion in the first place because they would fear repercussions from the guilty party.
Tennessee’s state legislature preempts a lot of local municipalities that pass laws helping abortion-seekers.
On Feb. 21, Healthy & Free Tennessee will hold a day on the hill of the state capitol.
“It's an opportunity for people who are connected to Healthy & Free,” Perry said. “People in the larger community can come to talk to their legislators and share how they feel about this type of legislation. And again, our focus for this year will be around abortion decriminalization.”
The organization’s website is here.