UPDATE: The House Health Subcommittee passed HB2577 on a voice vote on March 23, it will now be scheduled for the full House Health Committee in the next few days!
The 109th General Assembly has already produced great gains for Tennessee's pro-life movement including the restoration of statutes requiring that abortion facilities be licensed and inspected by the state health department and that abortion promoters provide informed consent and a 48-hour waiting period for women and girls considering abortion. While Federal Judge Kevin Sharp has currently enjoined enforcement of the licensure law at the state's 2 unlicensed abortion facilities, the consent and waiting period provisions are successfully saving lives as women, girls and families receive accurate information and additional time to make life-affirming decisions for themselves and their unborn children.
On Tuesday, March 15, Tennessee will take its next steps toward greater protection for life as Governor Haslam's legislation to reform the operation of abortion facilities receives its first vote. HB 2577 will be taken up Tuesday morning, 8:30 a.m., (CDT) by members of the State House Health Sub-Committee chaired by pro-life state Rep. Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville). The bill is sponsored in the House by longtime pro-life leader, state Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) and includes increased inspection and record-keeping requirements at abortion facilities and prohibits the purchase and sale of human fetal remains in Tennessee.
Brought in response to the release of undercover videos last summer in which high-ranking Planned Parenthood leaders were caught negotiating the sale of baby body parts, Governor Haslam responded with the drafting of legislation "to strengthen accountability and transparency for surgery centers performing abortion." The pro-life bill is opposed by Planned Parenthood and some researchers in Tennessee who use the bodies of aborted unborn children for experimentation.
Please contact members of the House Health Sub-Committee today and encourage others to do so as well. Urge each to support the Governor's bill to increase inspections and record-keeping requirements at abortion facilities and prevent such facilities from profiting from the sale of baby body parts. Tell them Pro-life Tennessee says YES on HB 2577!
Rep.John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville): [email protected], 615.741.4410.
Rep. Barry Doss (R-Leoma): [email protected], 615.741.7476
Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby): [email protected], 615.741.6871
Rep. JoAnne Favors (R-Chattanooga): [email protected], 615.741.2702
Rep. Gary Hicks (R-Rogersville): [email protected], 615.741.7480
Rep. Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough): [email protected], 615.741.2251
Rep. Sabi Kumar, MD (R-Springfield): [email protected], 615.741.2860
Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma): [email protected], 615.741.7448
Rep. Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville): [email protected], 615.741.2343
Rep. Bryan Terry, MD (R-Murfreesboro): [email protected], 615.741.2180