When A Woman Says NO to Abortion, Hers Should Be the FINAL Word
House Sub-Committee Hears Coercion Bill
Tennessee's Freedom from Coercion Act (HB 3301) by pro-life Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mount Juliet) will be heard again next Wednesday, March 3, following limited debate today by members of the House Public Health and Family Assistance sub-committee. Action was slowed when Rep. Henry Fincher(D-Cookeville) expressed concern that women at risk of undergoing coerced abortions may not benefit from proposed signage to be displayed in the offices of physicians performing abortions. Rep. Fincher repeatedly stressed that many women in Tennessee may not know the meaning of the word 'coerced.'
Opposition to the pro-life bill was also voiced by the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA), in part because of the bill's "burden" on abortion providers to post required signage in waiting areas and procedure rooms where abortions are performed. It would seem that another concern is that such signage would alert pro-life patients that their physician or facility participates in the practice of abortion. Proposed signage opposed by both Rep. Fincher and the TMA would state the following:
"Notice: It is against the law for anyone, regardless of the person's relationship to you, to coerce you to have an abortion. By law, we cannot perform an abortion on you unless we have your freely given and voluntary consent. It is against the law to perform an abortion on you against your will. You have the right to contact any local or state law enforcement agency to receive protection from any actual or threatened criminal offense to coerce an abortion. "
Within its definition under current Tennessee law, "coercion" means a threat, however communicated to commit any offense or to expose any person to hatred, contempt or ridicule.
Tennessee Right to Life will continue to work with legislative sponsors to address sincere concerns and to find language acceptable to members of the sub-committee. Please take
this opportunity to thank Rep. Susan Lynn for her work to protect women in our state from coerced abortions by her introduction of HB 3301.
Click here to view today's sub-committee hearing and select HB3301 below the video screen.
The Freedom from Coercion Act (House Bill 3301) by pro-life Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) would:
Opposition to the pro-life bill was also voiced by the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA), in part because of the bill's "burden" on abortion providers to post required signage in waiting areas and procedure rooms where abortions are performed. It would seem that another concern is that such signage would alert pro-life patients that their physician or facility participates in the practice of abortion. Proposed signage opposed by both Rep. Fincher and the TMA would state the following:
"Notice: It is against the law for anyone, regardless of the person's relationship to you, to coerce you to have an abortion. By law, we cannot perform an abortion on you unless we have your freely given and voluntary consent. It is against the law to perform an abortion on you against your will. You have the right to contact any local or state law enforcement agency to receive protection from any actual or threatened criminal offense to coerce an abortion. "
Within its definition under current Tennessee law, "coercion" means a threat, however communicated to commit any offense or to expose any person to hatred, contempt or ridicule.
Tennessee Right to Life will continue to work with legislative sponsors to address sincere concerns and to find language acceptable to members of the sub-committee. Please take
this opportunity to thank Rep. Susan Lynn for her work to protect women in our state from coerced abortions by her introduction of HB 3301.
Click here to view today's sub-committee hearing and select HB3301 below the video screen.
The Freedom from Coercion Act (House Bill 3301) by pro-life Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) would:
- Force abortion facilities to prominently post non-coercion policies;
- Impose penalties against facilities which do not comply;
- Reassure vulnerable women and girls that help and support are available;
- Provide for damages against any provider participating in a coerced abortion.
The Time Is NOW:
Stop Coerced Abortions in Tennessee!
Stop Coerced Abortions in Tennessee!
