On February 29 I spent a long day in Nashville visiting legislators
and discussing proposed legislation with members of the Tennessee Association
of Planned Parenthood Affiliates. There are several bills being considered
that are related to reproductive choice, but few are expected to pass.
I've pulled together my notes on their status.
Once again the "Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances" bill (SB
1195 and HB 685) has been introduced. This bill would make it a Class B
felony to commit arson of a reproductive clinic or church. Plus it would
be a Class D felony to obstruct access to a reproductive health services
facility. The amendment offered to the bill makes it a Class A felony with
a second or subsequent offense.
This bill is patterned after the federal law. Twelve states have enacted similar laws. There have been over 13 serious incidents in Tennessee facilities in the last two years, including bomb threats and fake bombs in the mail.
The "FACE" bill gives clinic providers the protection of local law enforcement
agencies. Clients would not have to face the intimidation that is currently
experienced.
SB 2376 would offers auto license tags with the heading of "Choose
Life." The funds realized from the sale of such a tag would be designated
for agencies that advocate adoption only.
It has been suggested to members of the Senate that if such a bill were to pass it would only be fair to have tags saying "Pro-Choice," with the proceeds to go to Planned Parenthood.
However, we have been told that the "Choose Life" bill will not get
out of committee.
HB 2196/SB 2050 stipulates that "No state funds shall be used to
perform abortions." Amendments have been offered that exceptions will be
made where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were
carried to term, or except for such medical procedures necessary for the
victims of rape or incest when such rape or incest has been reported promptly
to a law enforcement agency or public health service.
Planned Parenthood would like to see the wording amended to say: "the health of the mother ......." Another exemption is that health insurance offered to state employees would not be included in this bill.
It is a bill that discriminates against poor women.
After a long discussion with Senator Lincoln Davis, senate sponsor,
one understands that this is an attempt to halt the yearly effort to amend
the budget to ban abortion funding. This annual attempt is designed to
give the far right an issue to use in election campaigns. This would, hopefully,
eliminate this annual battle.
HB 2702/SB 3230 by Rep. Larry Scroggs (R-Memphis) is the annual
"Informed Consent" bill, that would make changes to the informed consent
law for an abortion, which is currently enjoined from enforcement. This
bill would expand the medical emergency exception to allow abortion when
the doctor judges that a medical emergency exists that so complicates the
pregnancy that an abortion must be done immediately.
On its face, this sounds good, but the way the bill is worded it might make it possible to enforce some of the access restrictions in abortion legislation that is being reviewed by the courts. Planned Parenthood and Tennessee ACLU asked legislators to hold off on passing such a bill, until the Tennessee Supreme Court rules on the current status of the informed consent requirements.
In March this bill was killed in the House Human Resources subcommittee
by a vote of four to three. Representative Gene Caldwell (D-Oak Ridge)
was among those who voted for the bill in the subcommittee. Representative
Joe Armstrong (D-Knoxville) voted against. Senator Randy McNally (R-Oak
Ridge) was one of the Senate sponsors.
There are other bills in what is called the "Hopper" that cause
some to cringe. Such as SB 0652 & HB 1088. This would prohibit doctors
from transferring patient information to another state (using an out-of-state
lab) for the purpose of making a diagnosis or treatment for a Tennessee
patient.
Tuesday, February 29th, was an interesting day. Sometimes, when visiting
the legislature I feel like Alice in Wonderland! It is difficult to believe
what one hears.
TFC will participate in the Oak Ridge Mayfest again this year by
setting up a table at the Civic Center Plaza to distribute literature,
buttons, and bumper stickers on reproductive choice topics. This year the
event will be held Friday through Sunday, May 19-21.
This event has always been an effective means to get our message out,
and those who participate always say they enjoyed the experience. If you
can sit at the TFC table for a couple of hours but have not been called,
please contact Ellen Smith (483-3068).