Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
The “Tennessee Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act”, a bill that would penalize physicians for prescribing abortion inducing drugs via telehealth appointments, continues to make progress as the House Health Committee recommended it for passage.
Current Tennessee law prohibits physicians from performing, or attempting to perform, any abortion procedure if the patient is not physically present at the appointment. This includes the prescribing of medications to induce abortion if the doctor is not physically with the patient at the time.
House Bill 2416, sponsored by Representative Debra Moody (R-Covington-District 81), reiterates detailed procedures for the administration and distribution of these abortion inducing medications. It also adds a penalty if a doctor in Tennessee provides a chemical abortion medication via a telehealth visit.
Physicians who are found to be in violation of the law would be committing a Class E felony, which is punishable with a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to 20 years in jail. They could also be subject to professional disciplinary action of suspension or revocation of their license.
The bill also would allow for a civil malpractice suit to be brought against the offending physician.
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The Health Committee first voted on an amendment to the bill, which was passed.
The summary of the bill with amendment 015315 is as follows:
Enacts the Tennessee Abortion Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act. States that an abortion-inducing drug may be provided only by a qualified physician and sets the procedures that must be taken by that physician prior to and following providing an abortion-inducing drug. Creates a Class E felony for anyone who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly violates this act. States that failure to comply with this act provides a basis for a civil malpractice action against a healthcare provider.
Ayes prevailed on a final vote of the bill. Representatives Clemmons, Freeman, Hakeem, Jernigan, and Mitchell – all Democrats – voted against the bill.
It was recommended for passage with the amendment and will be moved to the calendar for the House Government Operations Committee on April 4.
If you support this legislation, contact the Republican members of the Committee (who hold the supermajority vote) prior to their meeting on Monday.
House Government Operations Committee Republicans
John Ragan (R) (Chair) – rep.john.ragan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4400
Jay Reedy (R) (Vice-Chair) – rep.jay.reedy@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7098
David Byrd (R) – rep.david.byrd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2190
Kent Calfee (R) – rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
Mark Cochran (R) – rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1725
Jeremy Faison (R) – rep.jeremy.faison@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6871
Justin Lafferty (R) – rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4110
William Lamberth (R) – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980
Mary Littleton (R) – rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7477
Pat Marsh (R) – rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6824
Todd Warner (R) – rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4170
*Note from The Tennessee Conservative. All above contact information has been checked against the General Assembly website. Some of our subscribers have related to us that their emails are being blocked by the capitol server. If this happens to you, try a different email provider or place a phone call to the legislators.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
