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SB0003 • 2026

Abortion

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37; Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to abortion.

Abortion Healthcare
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Akbari, Love
Last action
2025-01-15
Official status
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on enforcement or the impact on other parts of Tennessee's abortion laws beyond clarifying definitions.

Clarifying Definition of Abortion

This bill changes Tennessee's laws to clarify that using birth control and disposing of unused embryos from fertility treatments is not considered abortion.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the definition of 'abortion' in Tennessee law to exclude the use of contraceptives.
  • Clarifies that disposal of unimplanted embryos resulting from fertility treatments does not count as an abortion.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who use birth control
  • Doctors and clinics providing fertility treatments

Terms To Know

Abortion
Ending a pregnancy by removing a fetus or embryo from the uterus.
Fertility Treatments
Medical procedures and medications used to help people become pregnant.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not change other parts of Tennessee's abortion laws.
  • It is unclear how this law will be enforced or what specific actions it allows.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Failed in s/c Population Health Subcommittee of Health Committee

  2. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Population Health Subcommittee for 3/18/2025

  3. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Population Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2025

  4. 2025-01-28 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Population Health Subcommittee

  5. 2025-01-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to Health Committee

  6. 2025-01-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  7. 2025-01-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees

  8. 2025-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  9. 2025-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  10. 2025-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  11. 2024-11-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  12. 2024-11-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 14
By Love

SENATE BILL 3
By Akbari

SB0003
000202
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37;
Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to abortion.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-15-213, is amended by deleting
the semicolon at the end of subdivision (a)(1) and substituting:
. "Abortion" does not include:
(A) The use of contraceptives, including any device, medication, biological
product, or procedure that is generally intended for use in the prevention of pregnancy,
whether specifically intended to prevent pregnancy or for other health needs; or
(B) The disposal of unimplanted embryos resulting from fertility treatments,
including healthcare services, procedures, testing, medications, treatments, or products;
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.