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Tennessee Abortion Amendment (2014)
| Abortion Amendment | |
 | |
| Quick stats | |
| Type: | Constitutional amendment |
| Constitution: | Tennessee Constitution |
| Referred by: | Tennessee State Legislature |
| Topic: | Abortion |
| Status: | On the ballot |
Contents |
The measure would ask voters to decide whether there should be a "fundamental right" to abortion.[1]
The proposed amendment aims to reverse a 2000 ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court that stated that the state constitution's right to privacy afforded greater protections for abortion than the United States Constitution. The case was Planned Parenthood v. Sundquist.[2]
Specifically, the measure states that abortion is not protected by the state constitution. Additionally, the measure would allow lawmakers to require a waiting period prior to an abortion, place greater restrictions on later-term abortions and draft rules on what doctors are required to tell women prior to an abortion.[3]
Text of measure
Constitutional changes
The proposed amendment would add a new section to Article I of the Tennessee Constitution, which would read:[4]
| Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother. |
Path to the ballot
The Tennessee General Assembly must approve a proposed amendment in two successive sessions. In the second such session, the proposed amendment must earn 2/3rds approval, however, in the first session, it only needs majority approval.
- On April 18, 2011 the Tennessee State Senate voted 24-8 in favor of the proposed amendment.[5][6]
- On May 20, 2011 the House voted 76-18 to refer the proposed measure to the statewide ballot.[7][8]
See also
| By Eric Veram Ballot measure writer |
| Email • Submit a link |
Articles
- Tennessee abortion amendment heads to 2014 ballot
- Abortion amendment one step closer to Tennessee ballot
External links
- SJR 127 (status, full text, fiscal note)
Additional reading
- KnoxNews.com,"Knox Know-it-all: Multiple steps in amendment process," June 6, 2011
- The Tennessean,"TN Senate delays debate abortion vote," April 11, 2011
- The Tennessean,"Rally for Life attendees seek reversal of TN abortion law," January 24, 2011
References
- ↑ The Commercial Appeal,"Abortion opponents watch 2014 for shift in state legislation," January 17, 2011
- ↑ The Commercial Appeal,"Tennessee Senate advances abortion amendment," April 18, 2011
- ↑ The Tennessean,"TN Senate to debate abortion revisions," April 11, 2011
- ↑ Tennessee General Assembly,"SJR 127 full text," retrieved April 19, 2011
- ↑ The Tennessean,"TN Senate moves constitutional measure on abortion closer to public vote," April 19, 2011
- ↑ Nashville Public Radio,'Abortion Amendment up to the State House," April 18, 2011
- ↑ Chattanooga Times Free Press,"Tennessee: House OK puts abortion measure on 2014 ballot," May 20, 2011
- ↑ Associated Press,"Tennessee anti-abortion measure headed for 2014 ballot," May 20, 2011
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