Bill > HB0990

This bill amends Tennessee's legal code by adding precise medical definitions related to abortion exceptions. Specifically, it defines two key medical terms: "inevitable abortion" and "serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function". An "inevitable abortion" is defined as cervical dilation before fetal viability, which can occur through preterm labor or cervical insufficiency. The definition of "serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function" includes several specific medical conditions that could directly or indirectly cause significant bodily harm, such as severe preeclampsia, previable premature rupture of membranes, mirror syndrome associated with fetal hydrops, and infections that could lead to uterine rupture or fertility loss. Importantly, the bill explicitly excludes mental health conditions from this definition. The bill will take effect immediately upon becoming law, as determined by the Tennessee General Assembly. While the government-provided summary mentions a monument to unborn children, the actual text focuses on medical definitions related to abortion exceptions.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0990&ga=114