NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee could soon become one of the only states in the country that would make it a felony to assist minors with out-of-state abortions. Now, the ACLU of Tennessee is asking Gov. Bill Lee to veto the proposed bill after it advanced in the legislative session.
HB1895 / SB1971 would make it a felony for adults who help pregnant minors get an out-of-state abortion without a parent’s consent. The bill states “As introduced, creates the criminal offense of abortion trafficking of a minor; provides for a civil action against a person committing the offense of abortion trafficking of a minor for the wrongful death of an unborn child that was aborted.”
The ACLU wrote a letter to the governor saying the legislation would “harm young people’s ability to access the support of those they trust,” and called it an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment right to free speech and expression.”
The law would charge an adult with a Class C felony who “recruits, harbors, or transports” a minor out-of-state for an abortion or for obtaining medication for an abortion. This does not apply to parents or legal guardians.
“We need to protect the rights and well-being of Tennessee’s young people. SB 1971/HB 1895 betrays that duty by isolating and targeting their support network and discouraging their communities and loved ones from helping them for fear of legal consequences,” said Bryan Davidson, Policy Director at the ACLU of Tennessee.
“We urge Governor Lee to veto this bill because politically motivated restrictions like SB 1971/HB 1895 are not about making young people safer — they are about pushing abortion care out of reach.”
Read the letter below.
