Tennessee Right to Life expressed gratitude to Governor Bill Lee for signing into law HB1895/SB1971, known as the Underage Abortion Trafficking Act. This new legislation aims to protect minors by involving parents in critical decisions regarding their daughters' wellbeing. The bill passed overwhelmingly in both the House and Senate, establishing it as a crime for any adult to recruit, harbor, or transport a minor for the purpose of obtaining an abortion or abortion-inducing chemicals without parental consent.
The sponsors of the legislation emphasized that this is a parental consent bill designed to safeguard minors from undergoing invasive surgeries or taking dangerous abortion chemicals without their parents’ knowledge or approval. “Passage of the Underage Abortion Trafficking Act is a victory for Tennessee parents and their daughters. This law will go a long way in protecting young girls from predators who want to cover their crimes and from an abortion industry that exploits young girls for profit,” said Tennessee Right to Life lobbyist, Will Brewer.
The urgency of this legislation has increased as the abortion industry seeks methods to circumvent pro-life laws in states like Tennessee. Recently, Planned Parenthood admitted to facilitating abortion travel for underage girls without informing their parents. “We are grateful that Governor Lee signed this legislation. Parents have a right to be involved with their daughters’ wellbeing. The abortion industry has no right to keep parents in the dark at a time when their daughters are so vulnerable and could possibly be in danger,” said Stacy Dunn, President of Tennessee Right to Life.
Violation of the law is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a mandatory jail sentence of 11 months and 29 days. It also establishes civil liability for the actions described. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2024. Founded in 1975, Tennessee Right to Life is the state's oldest and largest pro-life advocacy organization. Affiliated with the National Right to Life Committee, the organization is non-profit, non-sectarian, and volunteer-based, with local chapters throughout Tennessee.
Tennessee Right to Life advocates for the protection of human life, particularly those threatened by abortion, infanticide, partial-birth abortion, assisted suicide, or euthanasia. The organization is dedicated to educational outreach, passage of protective legislation, and fostering an informed, active grassroots movement statewide. Additionally, it provides direct resources to women and families facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies.
Members of Tennessee Right to Life come from diverse religious, ethnic, economic, and political backgrounds, all united in the mission to promote and restore societal respect for all human life.
