Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A Tennessee bill allowing lawsuits against individuals transporting minors out of state for “gender-affirming” care without parental consent passed in the House on Wednesday.
House Bill 2310 (HB2310), sponsored by Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20), aims to prohibit minors from receiving this type of medically altering care without their parents’ consent.
It will also allow parents or legal guardians to file a civil suit against anyone who violates this law.
Richey noted that this was a “parents’ rights bill” and simply keeps individuals from being able to assist minors with obtaining medical procedures that are illegal in the state.
Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis-District 86) argued that this “absurd” legislation was unnecessary because kidnapping is already a criminal offense. He also stated that the legislation was negative towards those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Representative Richey noted that an elected official in another state had issued a statement that organizations from other states would come to states that prohibited gender reassignment surgeries to transport minors, with or without parental consent.
Prior to the bill’s passage, Representative Patsy Hazlewood (R-Signal Mountain-District 27) proposed an amendment that diverged from the original bill language stating that HB2310 does not apply to:
• A parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated minor who is authorized to make healthcare decisions for the unemancipated minor.
• An adult who has permission from the unemancipated minor’s parent or legal guardian.
• A common carrier transporting passengers for hire in the course and scope of their business.
Hazlewood’s amendment also specified that “The civil action may be brought by a parent or legal guardian of the unemancipated minor.”
House Amendment HA1119, by Hazlewood, was adopted and the bill passed with a vote of 75 Ayes and 21 Nays, along party lines.
The companion Senate Bill 2782 (SB2782), sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), passed with a 26 to 4 vote along party lines previously in this legislative session.
However, because the House passed the bill with an amendment, it has been placed back on the Senate Message Calendar for April 25th where then can choose to concur with or oppose the House amendment.
