Tennessee Right to Life applauds the full House and the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing TRL approved language on HB883 and SB745 that will keep the Human Life Protection Act strong and working as intended. House Bill 883 passed overwhelmingly by the House on Monday, March 20^th, and the Senate Judiciary passed Senate Bill 745 on Tuesday, March 21^st. 

SB745 was then referred to the Senate Calendar Committee to be scheduled for a floor vote but was recalled and referred to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee where it will be debated again on Tuesday, March 28^th at 3:00 CT.  

Committee members need to hear from you.  

The language of HB883/SB745 has undergone major revisions since it was first revealed on February 13. As originally filed, the language was unacceptable to the pro-life position but was supported by medical associations and hospital lobbyists. That version passed out of the House Population Health Subcommittee on February 14^th. 

Before being presented to the full House Health Committee, Tennessee Right to Life and pro-life legislators worked to find an acceptable amendment that would clarify but not weaken current Tennessee law that is protecting the right to life of all unborn children. 

Amendment #5705, was used to rewrite the entire bill and was passed by the House Health Committee last week and by the full House last Monday. 

The amendment now referred to as Amendment 1 by Gardenhire, explicitly clarifies that treatments of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage are in no way considered criminal abortions under the Human Life Protection Act, and it changes the affirmative defense to an exception for those times when the mother’s life is in danger. These changes will not broaden the scope of Tennessee law or allow for more abortions in our state.

Please contact members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and ask them to vote for SB745 as passed by the House and by the Senate Judiciary Committee and with no other amendments.