Last week, an organization based in New York filed a lawsuit against the Human Life Protection Act. The Center for Reproductive Rights, whose stated mission is to use “the power of law to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights around the world” filed suit on behalf of three women and two doctors and their patients.
Tennessee’s pro-life law has been in effect since August of 2022 when it was triggered by the overturning of Roe. Since then, it is estimated that more than 10,000 unborn children have been saved from abortion in our state. It is one of the strongest pro-life laws in the nation.
During the 2023 legislative session, Tennessee lawmakers, with the support of Tennessee Right to Life, amended the measure by clarifying that treatment for ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy and miscarriage are not violations of the law. The affirmative defense was replaced with an exception for those times when a woman’s life is in danger.
For more than a year, this law has worked as the legislature intended by protecting the right to life of Tennessee’s most vulnerable citizens. This lawsuit could change that.
The abortion group is attempting to undo the decades of work of pro-life Tennesseans and their elected representatives. The suit asks the Court to “To issue permanent injunctive relief that restrains Defendants, their agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and any persons in active concert or participation with Defendants, from enforcing Tennessee’s abortion ban or instituting disciplinary actions related to alleged violations of the abortion ban…””
If the abortion group is successful, Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act would be completely nullified.
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Tennessee is not the only target of the group. After filing complaints in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Idaho and Texas, an email to the organization’s supporters stated their ultimate strategy: “These filings are an important first step toward reestablishing abortion rights and access across the United States, especially in states that have criminalized abortion.”
Tennessee Right to Life stands behind the law. We are fully confident in the constitutionality of the Human Life Protection Act and are confident in General Skrmetti’s ability to defend this lawsuit on behalf of women and unborn children across the state.
The case will be heard by a three-judge panel chosen by the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Tennessee Right to Life will follow this situation closely. Please stay connected for updates on this case and the possible impact it might have on the upcoming legislative session.
