NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — While the rest of the South slowly whittled away at abortion access, Tennessee's clinics operated under less stringent restrictions.
That’s about to change.
Voters on Tuesday approved altering the state constitution to make clear that it does not protect the right to an abortion.
House majority caucus chairman Rep. Glen Casada says state GOP leaders are considering three abortion restrictions. They include informed consent for the parents of teens seeking an abortion, mandatory counseling, and a waiting period.
“This is a procedure that takes human life, and women and families should have a period to think this through before they go through this procedure.”
Whatever new restrictions they enact, the Republican supermajority in the legislature can expect some pushback. Hedy Weinberg heads the Tennessee Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
“The robust, statewide, grassroots coalition that we built throughout this campaign will move forward and continue those conversations to dissuade legislators from passing the extreme, medically irrelevant packet of bills that we understand they are going to pursue.”
The next session of the Tennessee General Assembly begins in January.