Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Tennessee House Health Committee passed legislation that would make it a criminal offense for an adult who is not the parent or guardian of a minor child to assist the minor with concealing or obtaining an abortion.
Before House Bill 1895 (HB1895) was introduced, Representative John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville-District 55) requested that the final vote be taken by a roll call.
The legislation was then presented by Representative Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville-District 14), who stated that this is a “parental rights bill.”
When questions were opened on the bill, Clemmons asked for clarification on the wording of the bill, requesting what it meant to “conceal” an abortion. He then asked if a trusted adult who was told by a minor that they were considering an abortion would be required by this law to inform the parents of that minor.
Zachary continually responded that they would leave that up to the courts to determine.
After debate on what would be allowed in cases of rape or incest, Zachary stated that his intent with this bill was to “protect every child. Period. End of story.”
Representative Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville-District 50) responded, “I do not see that your piece of legislation is protecting a child that has been raped in this state.”
The committee went out of session to hear testimony from several physicians requesting that legislators oppose the bill.
At one point, Representative David B. Hawk (R-Greenville-District 5) asked, “At what point does the medical community become an advocate for the unborn child?”
Previous question was eventually called on the bill to end the debate and the requested roll call vote was taken.
The bill passed with 16 representatives voting in favor and 7 voting against.
Voting against HB1895 were Representatives Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville-District 51), John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville-District 55), Yusuf Hakeem (D-Chattanooga-District 28), Caleb Hemmer (D-Nashville-District 59), Darren Jernigan (D-Old Hickory-District 60), Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville-District 50), and Sam Whitson (R-Franklin-District 65).
The bill will move on to the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee but the legislation has not yet appeared on their calendar upon publication of this article.
