In Tennessee, legislation advanced within the GOP-controlled Statehouse proposes making it illegal for adults to assist minors in obtaining abortions without parental consent, aligning with a broader national trend among anti-abortion advocates. The push follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision, which ended the federal right to abortion, prompting states to consider measures to restrict access and prevent women from seeking abortions across state lines.
While Idaho currently stands as the sole state with an “abortion trafficking” law, which prohibits acquiring abortion pills for minors or aiding them in accessing abortions without parental consent, legal challenges have arisen, resulting in a federal judge blocking the law after opposition from reproductive rights groups.
Despite ongoing legal debates surrounding the Idaho case, states such as Tennessee, Missouri, and Oklahoma are pressing forward with similar proposals.
Republican State Representative Jason Zachary, the sponsor of the Tennessee bill, frames it as a defense of parental rights.
Under the proposed Tennessee measure, it would be unlawful for an adult to facilitate a minor’s abortion within the state without the consent of the minor’s parents or guardians.
This prohibition extends beyond merely transporting the minor, potentially encompassing actions such as providing information about abortion providers or advising on states with less stringent abortion regulations.
