[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6125874,"mediaKeyId","2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427","parentId",2674412,"title","Committee rejects bill to declare contraceptives and IVF are not abortions","audioSeconds",61,"startMs",6009000,"endMs",6070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427&start=6009&end=6070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427/thumbnail_6009000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125874/Tennessee/Committee-rejects-bill-to-declare-contraceptives-and-IVF-are-not-abortions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125874-59ec2efc55f833fc0c6e27de388f405a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664429&Signature=MEgCEutzH2AG5eWfPm9WlkIlG7e2kS2kkHuu83YAqmfWLd7W65E5mTPjL9mnTPqWZf-lPLDsWn3z0kGU7KJldte5qxH0aQINzF2ixJZ~krR2FyA6MGX0MZo1Uhsx9yx2o5iSAZRH4Krv3lOqTiUe0aY41r1OQWXrDtC~7aAulKNicvXuOq47Aj1PjAJsavGyBOXN4wQOsfgVG9iiihLHEDC~ApC5qPx-OvUdyb1W7LSIej5V3VY3BMmnjMMBFnEg2DDdxIjuJ1P4zCnXne1OkobJfgCwMGa3GV6eS~MyBOE3DzCHdFV~Donjy~CLejqk8McqDMthepBFvopz2RhD~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","Late in the March 18, 2025 meeting the Population Health Subcommittee considered a short measure described by its sponsor as a statutory clarification that \"use of contraceptives and IVF treatments are not abortion.\" The sponsor said the bill would \"verify and put in code that use of contraceptives and IVF treatments are not abortion. And that is simply what this legislation does.\"

Committee members recorded no substantive amendments or outside testimony on this specific measure in the transcript. On final roll call the committee recorded 2 ayes, 7 noes and 1 present, not voting, and the bill failed in the Population Health Subcommittee.

Because the transcript did not identify the sponsor by name in the hearing record for this item, the article attributes the description to the unaffiliated sponsor statement recorded on the floor. The committee clerk announced the vote and the bill did not advance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Population Health Subcommittee\tMar 18, 2025\t11:41 AM","oneSentenceSummary","A short bill intended to place in statute that contraception and IVF treatments \"are not abortion\" failed in committee, 2 ayes, 7 nos, 1 present not voting.","taxTitle","Health, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",35345,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125877,"Committee debates IVF/ART licensing, storage and genetic‑testing limits; amended bill fails in committee",3829,2056000,5885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427&start=2056&end=5885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427/thumbnail_2056000.jpg","/articles/6125877/Tennessee/Committee-debates-IVFART-licensing-storage-and-genetictesting-limits-amended-bill-fails-in-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125877-772892ac48bd2ec0e4be2004d7b72405/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664429&Signature=Vq65ucj9RHhCBGtD-Ke5VguoZb0w1O-ApsO8lMDNQeNxm3dB59J-51t9rlYHjvG6MAOVpnLBQX5Z77UFpZobdEvn623rL6gx2RdmOOt7XcKQN6Zst~0aRmtYz3nqbRD12aWU~JCIHRAuARMJClOsAO3Uc~HwY2OMreUwHg067326Vjx4F-WI3dHe-vJlHxMDBrIJQY9dP8bO~eMa5FuYJRhdlBGvuYeMqAXvIjmgwPJWgn-t7WTkMlEbeyzh0IHsegMGcn7kjvrB3~fa8RSJn4MvrWWi-FOQcDw4YZEPaTziH~EcpAKzwYaajIjMwjKf6E7s2dVeacLqgeFng568sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 9 45, with two committee amendments, was the subject of extended testimony and legal review on March 18, 2025. The sponsor, Chairman Williams, presented amendments to require assisted reproductive technology (ART) certification for physicians, licensing and bonding for laboratories that store embryos, and an affidavit requirement that clinics use Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) consent templates. The committee adopted two amendments during the hearing and later voted on the amended bill; the final committee vote was 4 ayes and 6 nos, and the bill failed.

Chairman Williams said the measure was intended to protect patients and embryos after recent clinic closures and alleged unlicensed practice in the state. He described three primary elements of the amended bill: a certificate for physicians who practice ART, licensure and a performance bond for laboratories that store embryos, and using standard clinic consent forms so families receive consistent informed consent. Williams said the untimely amendment removed a proposed limit on the number of embryos that could be cryogenically stored and preserved language allowing genetic testing limited to chromosomal anomaly testing and fetal anomaly testing.

Heather Hasbaugh of Legal Services summarized the amended bill for the committee, saying it \"prohibits a person to practice in assisted reproductive technology unless that person has obtained an assisted reproductive technology certificate\" from the appropriate medical board, allows delegation within training and scope, and requires a 60‑day compliance window after promulgated rules. Hasbaugh said the amended language would require an affidavit that SART template consent forms are used and that genetic testing would be prohibited except when used for \"chromosomal anomaly testing or fatal [fetal] anomaly testing.\" She described requirements for fertility clinic certification, annual inspections by the Department of Health, reporting obligations to CDC, and Department authorities to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse renewal of certification.

Physicians and patient advocates testified about practical effects. Dr. Christopher Motteville, medical director of Tennessee Fertility Institute, said broad statutory language could limit clinical judgment and patient access to testing that helps identify embryos with better potential for pregnancy; he explained that pre‑implantation genetic testing (PGT) is used to screen chromosomal aneuploidy and that testing use increases with maternal age. Patient advocates including Kara Edwards (Starfish Infertility Foundation) and Molly Walker (Tennessee Fertility Advocates) described personal experiences with clinic closures and urged more time for the legislature to consider the implications for the roughly one in six people affected by infertility; Edwards said she was among patients harmed by a local clinic closure.

Department of Health staff said implementing the inspection and certification requirements would require additional inspectors and resources; the department said it is contracting with the Health Facilities Commission for lab inspections but is hiring med‑lab inspectors to assume those duties when contracts expire.

Committee members debated redundancy with federal reporting and third‑party lab accreditation, the scope of genetic testing restrictions, whether the Department of Health has the expertise to inspect embryology labs, and whether the certificate and bonding provisions would prevent abrupt closures that leave patients' embryos at risk. After committee debate the chair called the question on the amendment package; that procedural question passed on a 10–0 vote. On final roll call the amended House Bill 9 45 failed 4–6 in the Population Health Subcommittee.","After amendments to add physician and laboratory certification, bonding for embryo storage and limits on embryo genetic testing, House Bill 945 failed in committee 4–6. Legal staff summarized compliance timelines and Department of Health said additional inspectors would be needed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125882,"Committee rejects bill to enshrine right to contraception amid concerns about future restrictions",477,1566000,2043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427&start=1566&end=2043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427/thumbnail_1566000.jpg","/articles/6125882/Tennessee/Committee-rejects-bill-to-enshrine-right-to-contraception-amid-concerns-about-future-restrictions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125882-8e167b9d7b9af32a006e2844f6f0b6cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664429&Signature=ThmPXQ6IHMwHgFqsAOczNBAvdoE3vGgOAeRYmlrNKiuaxla1ZJxsQV29GlyekjmzDgo~FzlfEL3R6yc4xhYEC4GA72eO0fVHwRk~h1SKzD8IPoV9lU9Nj~indpXE9tjX96rBVw~hL3dOCjt-hGXPsdgbSjA~xUB6EDXJOJpi0MrKzsVAAgwR1wMUS~wrWeYMRGddM1JczH-3px~cOjgX8qgb58oM-jZpOSZpbjJUo2YgIQ1xq56hRtjXwiOrpWgLjn0jibweCq5VpG1s29TAMxPTwE5DWIvYrduJR8c7csBRwgHgEhgviV1UCQEdgCNC7vJvJ43in9dMzitvS7VaXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On March 18, 2025 the Population Health Subcommittee considered House Bill 12 20, a measure sponsored by Representative Kristen Johnson to affirm a statutory right to contraception and affordable contraceptives, and the committee rejected the bill with a 2–6 vote. The sponsor said the statute would \"affirm right to contraception in Tennessee\" and would protect access and affordability in anticipation of future legislative efforts to restrict contraceptives.

Johnson told the committee that while contraceptives are currently available in Tennessee, she had heard statements from members of the legislature and elsewhere suggesting future attempts to curb some contraceptive methods. She described public‑health benefits tied to contraceptive access, citing reduced unintended and adolescent pregnancies and improved economic outcomes for women. In testimony she referenced Colorado research she said led to a 40 percent drop in unintended pregnancy when contraception was made affordable statewide.

Committee members questioned whether contraception is already readily available. Chairman Kilmore asked \"would you not agree that contraception is freely available to people at this time in the state of Tennessee?\" Johnson replied that availability exists today but said the bill is intended to protect those rights going forward.

The clerk announced the committee tally as 2 ayes and 6 nos; the committee also noted the sponsor's statement that House Bill 12 20 was already dead in the Senate. The bill failed in the Population Health Subcommittee and will not advance from this committee.","House Bill 12 20, which would declare a right to contraception and affordable contraceptives, failed on a 2–6 committee vote; sponsor said the measure was proactive to guard against future rollbacks.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125886,"Panel rejects bill to restore abortion rights and remove criminal penalties",528,1016000,1544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427&start=1016&end=1544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427/thumbnail_1016000.jpg","/articles/6125886/Tennessee/Panel-rejects-bill-to-restore-abortion-rights-and-remove-criminal-penalties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125886-b56b0641c02e9b257229437b3b0cdb01/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664429&Signature=LrUkHiO1e2b2FRLMrga-XAXA-kA01hj7r2qIlp-DZFB47MIlc39IaHfLO1MwPbxAhrecPI8-19rXXf3rNl7uHfxfnewYlyUrX0GcFA42gZO4ku~~90PePZt7Wu5QT~qVJMKf2oK2mM~TxHJU7Fjgu8YYt9z15mIPwiSki6iQVUoexs1qiruL23eBcNKnMHYZkHXjPQXQJwISp2SYoLxVodR8344wtY4lOecMIC2h3NkFFSyuu7QCmh5rSo1wZIlkO03E80OQ~JdTuKujJSMWczFjy41gQ9sbHytHbSTgmLiECOMxAbJTTHkHfwHZGDIagF50NQRl26oR5qG9zxgzHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Population Health Subcommittee considered House Bill 12 17 on March 18, 2025 and rejected the measure 2–7. The bill, presented by Representative Kristen Johnson, sought to \"restore abortion rights to all Tennesseans,\" repeal the state's ban and eliminate criminal penalties for those who perform or receive abortions.

Johnson urged the committee to \"return the law of Tennessee back to the Roe standard\" and said the bill would restore \"freedom, health, and autonomy to women across the state.\" She also cited a 2022 Vanderbilt University poll and large public protests following Tennessee's \"trigger ban,\" arguing the current restrictions are unpopular and deny women control over reproductive health decisions.

Chairman Clemens supported the proposal in remarks to the committee, framing the question as one of constitutional privacy and freedom. Clemens said the loss of the Roe standard has affected availability of obstetric care in Tennessee: \"We have seen OBGYNs flee the state,\" he said, and he described a growing shortage of OB‑GYN providers and maternal‑health access problems in rural areas. Representative Johnson testified that more than half of Tennessee counties lack an OB‑GYN, and she linked that shortage in part to legal risk providers perceive following Dobbs.

The bill drew questioning but no amendments; the clerk recorded the final committee vote as 2 ayes and 7 nos and the bill failed in the Population Health Subcommittee.","Representative Kristen Johnson's bill to restore the Roe standard and eliminate criminal penalties for abortion failed in committee, 2–7.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125891,"Population Health panel rejects bill to create K‑12 student mental‑health portal",463,529000,992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427&start=529&end=992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674412-dc36e4696f808db74626e49558a16427/thumbnail_529000.jpg","/articles/6125891/Tennessee/Population-Health-panel-rejects-bill-to-create-K12-student-mentalhealth-portal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125891-231b8f1e3380214be550edea7aae919b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664429&Signature=MWfqMmaMeTJjzLCyZ-PTBnZjsOh4MvQM08UsNqe-PyyAda6006-wPRiYCARhUWu1BWYGdq9MkyxbrJStrZMePwssWbpwklnB3YjZSqx7ZrDxoZ5ETnLTRLi4Jk4ZlHIY-qgjdVM-XgQtMIDCxXbigSgNC5qJb5gFdfX2rXcCvZcIQfumqxAFL1I4aLsiaQ-MR09DBAQnFvmHd737CiD~sLZ-Jjh97~tGHCv6PPkZePmYsuoJalqCixjNHOGpHBnldpsO0Sw3dWGmF3BFh8mLbbLHeyUNpykExTChd8ShlpsQ9xjRkat9Ej9BecXkhJm8LdYCqqOH4fm-cgrz4sE6fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025 rejected House Bill 12 12, a proposal to establish an online portal through which K–12 students and their parents could request in‑county therapeutic visits, by a committee vote of 2 ayes and 6 nos.

Representative Kristen Johnson, the bill sponsor, told the panel the measure would \"establishes a portal where any student, K through 12, can request to see a therapist in their county,\" allowing initial visits and a procedure to request additional sessions if the therapist and family determine more time is needed. Johnson said the proposal was modeled on a Colorado program and argued the program is \"relatively inexpensive\" and could be funded from interest on a $250,000,000 mental‑health fund the legislature established.

The sponsor described benefits she expects if students get earlier access to counseling: reduced stigma, improved attendance and academic performance, and declines in bullying and fights. \"Parents a lot of parents don't have the resources to get a therapist for their kids and this program allows that free of charge for these families,\" Johnson said.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Chairman Clemens described the bill as bipartisan and highlighted concerns about rising suicide and substance‑use risks among young men; he said early access and destigmatization are important goals. No committee member advanced an amendment; the clerk recorded the vote and the bill failed on the committee floor.

The subcommittee recorded the motion to move passage and a second before the roll call; neither mover nor seconder were named in the transcript. The clerk announced the final tally as 2 ayes and 6 nos, and the bill failed in committee.

House Bill 12 12 will not advance from the Population Health Subcommittee.","The Population Health Subcommittee considered House Bill 12 12, a proposal to create an online portal for K–12 students and parents to request short‑term therapy, but the bill failed on a 2–6 vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee rejects bill to declare contraceptives and IVF are not abortions

Committee debates IVF/ART licensing, storage and genetic‑testing limits; amended bill fails in committee

Committee rejects bill to enshrine right to contraception amid concerns about future restrictions

Panel rejects bill to restore abortion rights and remove criminal penalties

Population Health panel rejects bill to create K‑12 student mental‑health portal