Lee Signs Abortion Influence Education Act Into Law

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

Governor Lee has signed a bill into law that bans Tennessee schools from having any dealings with those who provide or fund abortion services.  

House Bill 2557 (HB2557), sponsored by Representative Debra Moody (R-Covington-District 81) and Senate Bill 2158 (SB2158), sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28) prohibits a Local Education Agency (LEA) or public charter school from knowingly entering into an agreement with an individual or entity that performs abortions, induces abortions, provides abortion referrals, or provides funding, advocacy, or other support for abortions. – Amends TCA Title 49.

Violation of this legislation would be considered a violation of the Teacher Code of Ethics. This could result in professional discipline being brought against the violator.

This is one of the few pieces of legislation the Tennessee Conservative followed this session that was not altered from its original intent with Amendments.

House Bill 2557 was passed on March 7th with 70 Aye votes, 21 No Votes with one Representative present but not voting.  Only the Democrats voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 2158 was passed on March 11th with 27 Aye votes and 5 No Votes with only the Democrats voting against.  

The bill was signed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville-District 25) on April 14th and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge-District 5) on April 18th.

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The legislation states in part:

Children are a gift from God and deserve our protection from the time of conception and continuing into their childhood and education; and family life education is a fundamentally important aspect of education, and the teaching of family life requires a dignity and respect for life.

(1) A public school or open-enrollment public charter school shall not knowingly enter into a transaction to assist in teaching family life with an individual or entity that: 

(A) Performs abortions; 

(B) Induces abortions; 

(C) Provides abortion referrals; or 

(D) Provides funding, advocacy, or other support for abortion. 

(2) A violation of this section is a violation of § 49-5-1004 and subjects the individual or entity in violation to discipline in accordance with that section.

The Act has been assigned Public Chapter Number 950 by the Secretary of State and will become effective on June 1st, 2022.

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