Tennessee’s Gov. Signs Bill Banning Late-term Abortions
- Updated May 15, 2017
Tennessee's governor signed a ban on late-term abortions into law on Friday, reports LifeNews.com.
The ban, called the Tennessee Infants Protection Act, prohibits abortions after 24 weeks and possibly even earlier. The law requires clinics to assess whether an unborn child is viable as early as 20 weeks, and if it is determined that the baby is viable, an abortion would also be illegal. Abortion doctors convicted of breaking this law could face felony charges.
“Rather than being a ‘20-week abortion ban,’ as some have described it, the bill requires physicians to assess viability beginning at 20 weeks gestational age, absent a medical emergency,” said Tennessee’s Gov. Bill Haslam.
Pro-life group Tennessee Right to Life was pleased with the new legislation and thanked the state’s governor for supporting pro-life values:
“Tennessee Right to Life thanks Governor Haslam for his demonstrated commitment to doing everything possible constitutionally to defend and protect vulnerable unborn children,” said Brian Harris, the organization’s president. “His administration has been tireless in supporting common-sense measures which affirm the dignity human life in our state and pro-life Tennesseans are clearly very grateful to the Governor,” Harris continued.
The new law will be put into effect on July 1, 2017.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: May 15, 2017
