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Tennessee House approves bill to codify access to fertility treatment and contraceptives
Summary
The House passed Senate Bill 449, the Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act, after hours of debate over in vitro fertilization, emergency contraception and whether the measure forecloses future regulation. Lawmakers split 54-37 with eight present but not voting.
The Tennessee House on Friday passed Senate Bill 449, known on the floor as the Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act, voting 54 in favor, 37 opposed and 8 present but not voting after several hours of debate.
The bill, carried in the House by Chair Lee Rutter, would codify “a right to engage in activities associated with fertility treatment and contraceptives” and recognizes providers’ right to offer such treatments. Sponsor Chair Lee Rutter told colleagues the measure “does not mandate coverage nor impact regulations.”
Supporters framed the bill as protecting access that exists now. “All this bill seeks to do is to codify into law that women will have access to IVF and contraceptives in Tennessee,” Chair Lee Rutter said.…
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