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Our Mission

Tennessee Freedom Circle works to protect and advance reproductive freedom. We are proud Tennesseans, and we will not stand by while our state's legislators endanger our freedom to decide whether, when, and with whom to have a family. Our growing statewide network of problem solvers and changemakers contributes time, personal experience, and expertise to help change our laws through education, advocacy, and voting.

Narrow Exceptions

Tennessee Freedom Circle advocated alongside healthcare providers for broader exceptions that would have allowed legal abortion care in all cases where a mother’s health OR life are at risk as well as for survivors of rape, incest, and human trafficking. Lawmakers eventually enacted narrower language that allows for legal abortion care only if a patient’s life is at risk and to “prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.”

It’s important to note that the language for these narrow exceptions was written by anti-abortion lobbyists. Medical providers, including doctors, opposed the language because it is confusing to hospitals and patients. 

Tennessee’s abortion ban remains one of the most extreme in the country. This is why we must keep speaking up to advance reproductive freedom.
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Who can get an abortion in Tennessee?
Who can get an abortion in Tennessee?

Only patients who are facing life-threatening circumstances can get a legal abortion in Tennessee. The law’s narrow language allows for legal abortion care only if a patient’s life is at risk and to “prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.” There are also exceptions for lawful abortion care in cases of molar or ectopic pregnancies.

Are there any exceptions for abortions in Tennessee?
Are there any exceptions for abortions in Tennessee?

Currently, the only exceptions are to save the life of the mother. The law’s narrow language only allows for legal abortion care if a patient’s life is at risk and to “prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.” The 2023 abortion law now allows for lawful abortion care if a patient has an ectopic or molar pregnancy.

There are no other exceptions, not even for survivors of rape, incest, or human trafficking. The current law falls short of establishing clear exceptions to protect a mother’s health in all instances, and doctors could still face jail time if their medical judgment is questioned.

Are there exceptions for rape or incest?
Are there exceptions for rape or incest?

No, there are no legal exceptions for survivors of rape, incest, or human trafficking.

Is there a cut-off on how many weeks pregnant a woman must be to be able to obtain an abortion?
Is there a cut-off on how many weeks pregnant a woman must be to be able to obtain an abortion?

No. The number of weeks into a pregnancy is not a factor in determining whether or not abortion care is legal in the state of Tennessee. It’s instead the level of risk to the patient that is the determining factor. A woman may receive lawful abortion care under the law only if it is to “prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman,” or if her life is at risk.

What about exceptions for nonviable pregnancies that will result in stillbirths?
What about exceptions for nonviable pregnancies that will result in stillbirths?

The current law does not specifically address nonviable pregnancies. So once again, it is up to a doctor’s interpretation of the law and their willingness to take on potential criminal risk. Legal abortion care can be provided in this circumstance only if a doctor determines that, because of the nonviable pregnancy, an abortion is necessary to prevent the mother’s death or “serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.” Tennessee Freedom Circle and healthcare providers across the state asked legislators to create specific exceptions for nonviable pregnancies, but tragically that language was cut from the bill.

Get to know Tennessee’s Current Abortion Bill a Bit More

One of the most important steps to help create
change is knowing who your legislators are.

One of the most important steps to help create change is knowing who your legislators are.

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