HB 14 clarifies that Tennessee's definition of "abortion" does not include contraceptive use (such as birth control devices, medications, or procedures intended to prevent pregnancy) or the disposal of unimplanted embryos from fertility treatments (including related healthcare services and medications). The bill directly affects healthcare providers, patients, and fertility clinics by explicitly excluding these common medical practices from criminal abortion statutes. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-15-213 and related provisions to define these exclusions. The bill failed in the Health Committee's Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025, and did not advance to the full legislature.
HB 1217 would repeal Tennessee's criminal abortion laws and establish a fundamental right to abortion before fetal viability (when a fetus can survive outside the womb) or when necessary to protect the pregnant person's life or health. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals in Tennessee by removing criminal penalties for abortions meeting these criteria and defining "reproductive health care" to include abortion services. Key provisions include banning state interference with these rights, defining "viability" based on a physician's medical judgment, and clarifying that a fetus has no legal rights under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39, 63, and 68 to implement these changes.
HB 1220, the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act," establishes a fundamental right for all individuals to make decisions about their reproductive health, including access to contraceptives and related information. It requires healthcare providers to either provide contraceptive services or refer patients to someone who can, and prohibits restrictions that single out contraceptive care or impede access. The bill defines "contraception" broadly (including emergency contraception and sterilization) and clarifies it is distinct from abortion. It applies directly to patients, healthcare providers, health insurance carriers, and public health agencies across Tennessee. The bill is currently pending, having failed in the Health Committee's Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025.
HB 1212 establishes a temporary program to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services for Tennessee youth under 18. The program creates a web-based portal for age-appropriate mental health screenings, connects youth with providers for in-person or telehealth sessions, and reimburses providers for up to three initial sessions per youth using existing K-12 mental health funds. Providers must offer at least three sessions per youth to qualify for reimbursement, and the Department of Mental Health must run a public awareness campaign involving schools and community groups. The program expires on July 1, 2026, requiring a final report to health committees on service usage and outcomes.
HB 598 would establish a legal process for capable adults in Tennessee with a terminal illness to request medication to end their life under strict conditions. To qualify, an adult must be a resident of Tennessee, diagnosed with an incurable disease expected to cause death within six months, and confirmed capable by both an attending physician and a consulting physician. The process requires a written request witnessed by two non-relatives (not beneficiaries or healthcare staff), counseling to ensure the decision is voluntary and informed, and full disclosure of the patient's diagnosis, prognosis, risks, and alternatives like hospice care. The bill amends Tennessee laws across multiple titles to create these requirements and procedures for end-of-life medication requests.
HB 1156 would remove a Tennessee law requiring parents or legal guardians to ensure their children receive vaccines recommended by the CDC or AAP. This change directly affects parents and guardians in Tennessee who currently have this legal obligation under TCA Title 37. The bill specifically deletes Section 37-10-401(a) of the Tennessee Code but clarifies it won't impact existing school, daycare, or childcare immunization requirements. The legislation is currently pending in the Health Committee for further review.
