The House Health Subcommittee will take up HB 1181(Rep. Tim Rudd) on Tuesday, March 30, 12:00 PM CST.

HB 1181 would require the burial or cremation of all fetal remains in the State of Tennessee. Women and unborn children deserve the dignified treatment of fetal remains and this legislation would ensure that happens.

According to Will Brewer, Lobbyist for Tennessee Right to Life, the U.S. Supreme Court on May 28, 2019 upheld an Indiana law requiring fetal remains from an abortion be buried or cremated. This court decision is powerful in supporting Tennessee Bill 1181 that is similar in scope and purpose.

Tennessee Right to Life and pro-life Tennesseans believe that the remains of aborted children should be treated with dignity and not as trash or medical waste.

Pro-abortionists argued that the Indiana law would create a new expense – and it was not clear who would be financially responsible, the patient or the provider.   They believe asking women to bear the expense could put abortion out of the financial reach of some women.  Interestingly, they believe this requirement is unusual for any kind of medical procedure and do not recognized that the remains of an unborn child are that of a person.  They considered the law punishment for those seeking a “normal medical procedure” and that abortion patients are being targeted.

Pro-abortion activists will oppose this legislation on the false pretense that it creates an obstacle for women, but in fact, their opposition comes from the refusal to acknowledge the humanity of the unborn child and to thereby treat their bodies with dignity and respect.   Tennessee Right to Life supports the Fetal Remains Act and is working for its passage, because, if passed, this law will enhance the dignity of human life that Tennesseans support.  Other state governments have passed or are considering similar legislation.