Republicans Continue To Protect Sanctity Of Life

This year, Republican lawmakers continued their commitment to protecting the sanctity of life and fighting for our unborn children.

In early March, House Republicans approved the Heartbeat Bill. This measure prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected but makes an exception if the life of the mother is in jeopardy.

Weeks later, House Bill 1029 — known as the Human Life Protection Act — was also approved.

This measure bans abortion in Tennessee upon the 30th day following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade or amending the U.S. Constitution to allow states to prohibit abortion. As amended, the Attorney General is required to notify in writing the Tennessee Code Commission as to the occurrence of a qualifying circumstance and what date is the 30th day following such a qualifying circumstance.

These measures are the latest in a series of Republican-led pro-life initiatives. House Republicans also supported and passed the Tennessee Infants Protection Act during the 110th General Assembly, which prohibits abortions, except in medical emergency, after 24 weeks and requires testing to determine viability of an unborn child if a woman is at least 20 weeks pregnant.