1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the legislation sponsored by Representative Jody Barrett that would revise Tennessee's homicide and assault laws to apply to abortion procedures. This bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Bud Hulsey, Monty Fritts, and Ed Butler, with a companion bill by Senator Mark Pody, declares that life should be protected "from fertilization to natural death" and would subject abortion to the same legal standards as homicide cases. This legislation represents a dangerous overreach that would criminalize healthcare decisions and threaten the safety of Tennessee women. While the bill's sponsors claim it includes exceptions for life-saving procedures and spontaneous miscarriages, the reality is that applying homicide laws to abortion creates a chilling effect on medical care. Doctors could face criminal charges for providing necessary reproductive healthcare, forcing them to delay or deny treatment while consulting legal counsel, even in emergency situations where every minute matters. The proposed effective date of July 1, 2026 does not diminish the urgency of opposing this bill now, before it gains momentum. Once such legislation is filed and moves through committee, it becomes increasingly difficult to stop. The vague language about "life-saving procedures" leaves too much room for interpretation and puts medical professionals in an impossible position of choosing between their patients' wellbeing and potential prosecution. Women deserve access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare without fear of criminal investigation. Medical decisions should be made between patients and their doctors, not dictated by the threat of homicide charges. This legislation would make Tennessee one of the most extreme states in restricting reproductive rights and would undoubtedly harm women's health outcomes. I strongly urge you to publicly oppose this bill and work to ensure it does not advance through the legislature. Tennessee women need representatives who will protect their healthcare access, not criminalize it.