SB 1257 / HB 1029
With the possibility that there might soon exist a majority on the U.S. Supreme Court willing to give states greater latitude for the protection of human life, Tennessee Right to Life seeks to ensure that our state continues to help lead the way to the fullest possible protection for human life. Tennessee's Human Life Protection Act (SB 1257 / HB 1029) is the legislative priority of Tennessee Right to Life and is sponsored by Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) and Representative Susan Lynn (R-Mt Juliet.) This legislation would take effect upon the reversal of Roe v Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court and would enact the full restoration of Tennessee's protective pre-Roe laws. Passage would also restore the right of Tennesseans to decide these public policies on abortion for ourselves.
"It has always been the priority of Tennessee's pro-life movement to restore the fullest possible protection to the largest number of unborn children and women in our state," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. "While states like New York are moving to strip any limits to abortion--even at the moments before birth---Tennessee wants to be known for protecting our children."
- This is the next step toward restoring constitutional protections for the unborn, for women and for girls in our state and for the right of citizens to determine public policy on abortion.
- Unlike other proposals, the Human Life Protection Act takes effect when the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade in whole or part. As such it does not challenge the core holdings of Roe, Casey, or Hellerstedt. Nor does it threaten existing pro-life protections which are changing hearts and saving lives each day in Tennessee.
- When the U.S. Supreme Court again allows states to decide abortion policy again, we want to be in a position to restore the common-sense protections that express the pro-life views and sentiments of Tennesseans.
- Medical technology and understanding have come so far in the past decades since Roe was decided, including the development of ultrasound imagery which makes clear the humanity of unborn boys and girls. Again, should the U.S. Supreme Court allow states greater latitude toward the protection of these lives, we want Tennessee to be in a position to act quickly to restore the fullest possible protection to these women, girls and unborn children."
- Upon reversal of Roe v. Wade, the Human Life Protection Act restores all of Tennessee's pro-life protections for unborn children and women. It restores Tennessee's law as it stood in 1973 prior to Roe v Wade decision and includes an exception to allow an abortion if necessary to protect the life of the mother.
Legislative Actions on House Bill 1029
Introduced 02/06/2019
Referred to Health Committee 02/11/2019
Assigned to Public Health Subcommittee 02/13/19
Placed on 02/20/2019 calendar of Public Health Subcommittee 02/13/19. The bill was not heard on 02/20/2019 and will be rescheduled in the near future.
Placed on 03/27/19 calendar of Public Health Subcommittee 03/20/19.
Defeated 3 - 4 in the Public Health Subcommittee on 03/27/2019. Voting Pro-Life and for the bill were Representatives: Sexton (R), Terry (R) and Whitson (R). Voting Pro-Abortion were Representatives: Dixie (D), Hill (R), Miller (D), Van Huss (R).
Petition filed by Rep. Ron Gant to discharge the bill from the Public Health Subcommittee to the full Health Committee 04/03/19.
Discharge petition passed 12 - 5, 4/10/19. Bill will be placed on future calendar of the Health Committee.
Placed on 04/16/19 calendar of Health Committee, 04/10/19.
Passed on a voice vote in the Health Committee, 04/16/2019. The bill referred to the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee.
Placed on 04/17/19 calendar of the Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee, 04/16/2019.
Passed on a voice vote in the Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee, 04/17/2019.
Passed on a voice vote in the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, 04/17/2019.
Passed on a voice vote in the Calendar Committee, 04/18/2019.
Placed on the House calendar for 04/22/2019.
Passed House of Representatives 69 - 24 on 04/22/2019.
Voting Pro-Life and for the bill were Representatives: Baum, Boyd, Bricken, Byrd, Calfee, Carr, Carter, Cepicky, Cochran, Crawford, Curcio, DeBerry, Doggett, Dunn, Eldridge, Faison, Farmer, Gant, Garrett, Griffey, Halford, Hall, Haston, Hawk, Helton, Hicks, Hill M, Hill T, Holsclaw, Holt, Howell, Hulsey, Johnson C, Keisling, Kumar, Lafferty, Lamberth, Leatherwood, Littleton, Lynn, Marsh, Moon, Ogles, Powers, Ragan, Ramsey, Reedy, Rudd, Rudder, Russell, Sanderson, Sexton J, Sherrell, Smith, Sparks, Terry, Tillis, Todd, Travis, Van Huss, Vaughan, Weaver, White, Whitson, Williams, Windle, Wright, Zachary, Mr. Speaker Casada -- 69.
Voting Pro-Abortion were Representatives: Beck, Camper, Chism, Clemmons, Cooper, Dixie, Freeman, Hakeem, Hardaway, Hodges, Jernigan, Johnson G, Lamar, Love, Miller, Mitchell, Parkinson, Potts, Powell, Shaw, Staples, Stewart, Thompson, Towns -- 24.
Not voting: Coley, Daniel, Hazlewood, Sexton C
Absent: Hurt, Moody
Transmitted to Gov. Lee for his signature, 04/30/2019.
Gov. Lee signed into law, 05/10/2019
Click Here for a Complete Listing of Legislative Actions on House Bill 1029
Legislative Actions on Senate Bill 1257
Introduced 02/06/2019
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee 02/11/19
Placed on 04/9/2019 calendar of Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/2019.
Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with a 7 - 2 vote. Voting Pro-Life and for the bill were Senators: Bell (R), Bowling (R), Gardenhire (R), Lundberg (R), Roberts (R), Stevens (R), White (R). Voting Pro-Abortion were Senators: Kyle (D), Robinson (D).
Placed on the Senate calendar for 04/18/2019. Action delayed in the Senate until Monday, 04/22/2019.
Passed Senate 26 - 5 on 04/22/2019.
Voting Pro-Life and for the bill were Senators: Bailey (R), Bell(R), Briggs (R), Crowe (R), Gardenhire (R), Gresham (R), Haile (R), Hensley (R), Jackson (R), Johnson (R), Kelsey (R), Kurita (I), Lundberg (R), Massey (R), Lt. Gov. McNally (R), Niceley (R), Pody (R), Reeves (R), Roberts (R), Rose (R), Southerland (R), Stevens (R), Swann (R), Watson (R), White (R), Yager (R).
Voting Pro-Abortion were Senators: Akbari (D), Gilmore (D), Kyle (D), Robinson (D), Yarbro (D).
Not voting: Bowling (R), Dickerson (R)
Transmitted to Gov. Lee for his signature, 04/30/2019.
Gov. Lee signed into law, 05/10/2019
Click Here for a Complete Listing of Legislative Actions on House Bill 1257
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