Healthcare (Women's Health)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1189: Abortion - As introduced, deletes the offense of criminal abortion; allows for an abortion before viability of the fetus or when necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1189 removes criminal penalties for abortion in Tennessee and establishes two clear exceptions: abortions are permitted before fetal viability (determined by a physician's medical judgment) or when necessary to protect the pregnant person's life or health. The bill explicitly recognizes a fundamental right to reproductive health care, including abortion decisions, and states that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus has no legal rights under Tennessee law. It directly affects all pregnant people in Tennessee by expanding access to abortion care within these defined limits and prohibits state entities from restricting these rights. The law amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-15-213, 63, and 68 to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves criminal barriers to abortion, expanding access to reproductive health care services and protecting patient rights per bill's explicit recognition of reproductive health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SB 187: Abortion - As introduced, enacts the "Reproductive Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 20; Title 29; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 187, the "Reproductive Freedom Act," would establish new legal protections for abortion and reproductive healthcare in Tennessee. It defines "reproductive health care" broadly to include abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and fertility services, while affirming that pregnant people have fundamental rights to make decisions about their care without state interference. The bill deletes numerous existing restrictions across Tennessee law (including provisions in Titles 39, 49, and 53 that previously limited abortion access) and requires healthcare plans to cover reproductive health services. This legislation directly affects all Tennessee residents seeking or providing reproductive healthcare, particularly those needing abortion care or related services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves restrictions on abortion and defines reproductive healthcare broadly (including contraception, prenatal care), protecting patient access without state interference per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 449: Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 449, the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act," establishes legal rights for individuals in Tennessee to access fertility treatments and contraception without state prohibition. It defines "fertility treatment" broadly to include procedures like in vitro fertilization, genetic testing of embryos, and medication for fertility, while defining "contraception" to cover methods such as birth control pills, emergency contraceptives, and sterilization. The law explicitly states that Tennessee law does not prohibit these activities, overriding conflicting state laws. This act takes effect on July 1, 2025, directly affecting all residents seeking these health services within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enshrines legal access to fertility treatments and contraception, removing state barriers to expand healthcare access and protect patient rights under defined health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

died · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 188: Physicians and Surgeons - As introduced, requires physicians who attend to a pregnant woman during gestation to take or cause to be taken a sample of blood to test for syphilis infection at the first examination and visit, sometime between the 28th and 32nd week of gestation, and at delivery; clarifies that the hepatitis B surface antigen test is a part of the standard serological test. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 188 requires physicians and surgeons attending pregnant patients in Tennessee to conduct specific blood tests during pregnancy. It mandates syphilis testing at the first visit, between 28-32 weeks gestation, and at delivery, while clarifying that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing is part of standard prenatal care. All results must be reported to local health departments for communicable disease tracking. This directly affects all healthcare providers delivering prenatal care in the state and ensures consistent testing for two preventable infections during each pregnancy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates syphilis/hepatitis B testing during pregnancy for public health tracking, strengthening disease prevention and reporting in prenatal care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 533: Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 533, now Public Chapter 247, establishes the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act" in Tennessee. It defines fertility treatment (including IVF, egg/sperm preservation, and genetic testing) and contraception (covering all pregnancy prevention methods, including over-the-counter options) and explicitly states that Tennessee law does not prohibit these activities. The bill directly affects all Tennesseans seeking reproductive healthcare by guaranteeing the right to access fertility services and contraception without state interference. Key provisions clarify that the state cannot ban or restrict these services, overriding conflicting existing laws. This law took effect immediately upon becoming public on April 29, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGuarantees access to fertility treatments and contraception by removing legal prohibitions, protecting patient rights in reproductive healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 1220: Birth Control - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1220, the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act," establishes a fundamental right for all individuals to make decisions about their reproductive health, including access to contraceptives and related information. It requires healthcare providers to either provide contraceptive services or refer patients to someone who can, and prohibits restrictions that single out contraceptive care or impede access. The bill defines "contraception" broadly (including emergency contraception and sterilization) and clarifies it is distinct from abortion. It applies directly to patients, healthcare providers, health insurance carriers, and public health agencies across Tennessee. The bill is currently pending, having failed in the Health Committee's Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes right to contraceptive access, mandates provider services, prohibits restrictions on reproductive health care95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health Women's Health

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 1217: Abortion - As introduced, deletes the offense of criminal abortion; allows for an abortion before viability of the fetus or when necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1217 would repeal Tennessee's criminal abortion laws and establish a fundamental right to abortion before fetal viability (when a fetus can survive outside the womb) or when necessary to protect the pregnant person's life or health. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals in Tennessee by removing criminal penalties for abortions meeting these criteria and defining "reproductive health care" to include abortion services. Key provisions include banning state interference with these rights, defining "viability" based on a physician's medical judgment, and clarifying that a fetus has no legal rights under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39, 63, and 68 to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill repeals criminal abortion laws, removing criminal penalties and protecting civil rights (reproductive rights), aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves criminal barriers to abortion, establishing a right to abortion before viability or to protect life/health, and defines it as part of reproductive health care. This improves access to a health service and protects patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 179: Abortion - As introduced, specifies that the offense of criminal abortion does not include an abortion that was necessary due to a medical emergency affecting the physical or mental health of the pregnant person or performed on a patient whose pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 179 modifies Tennessee's criminal abortion law by adding exceptions that exempt certain abortions from criminal prosecution. It specifies that performing an abortion is not a crime if it is necessary to protect the pregnant person's physical or mental health, or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest (as defined in Tennessee law). The bill amends Title 39, Chapter 15 of Tennessee Code, reclassifying such abortions as non-criminal under these specific circumstances. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting licensed physicians performing abortions and pregnant individuals in these defined situations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts abortions necessary for physical/mental health, aligning with healthcare access protections per bill language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

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