Legislative Report – February 18, 2018

HB 2251 – Revises TennCare to authorize payment to any clinic/facility that performs abortions, even though the submitted charges are for non-abortion services.

 

Due to the Hyde Amendment, no federal tax dollars may be used for an abortion.  In Tennessee, this means TennCare cannot pay for an abortion.  This bill will prohibit any tax dollars being paid to a facility that offers  abortions even if a patient is receiving well woman care in the facility.  In other words, this bill would prohibit an individual from going to a clinic for a mammogram, birth control, a pap smear, etc. if they are covered by TennCare  AND  the same clinic offers abortion services. The bill is targeting clinics like Planned Parenthood or Choices which offers all well woman services and but also provide abortions. The intent is to stop these clinics from providing abortions –  which may be a smaller portion of their income –  by threating their main source of income, which is providing well woman services  – especially in improvised communities.

 

Bill is to be heard by House Health Subcommittee on 2/21.

 

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/sub-health.html

 

Please write that you OPPOSE this to this bill.

 

 

SB 0883  – Enacts the “Long-Acting Birth Control Information Act.”

 

This bill will provide study and funding for long acting birth control.  This bill passed the house last year.  In my discussion with Senator Jeff Yarbro this week, he is optimist, however Senator Bo Watson is not fully on board.  It is important to reach out to all members but especially Senator Bo Watson.

 

Bill to be heard by Senate Health and Welfare Committee on 2/21.

 

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/committees/health-welfare.html

 

Please write that you  SUPPORT  this to this bill.

 

HB 2168 – Modifies the Gateway bill by allowing  instructors to teacher about the sexual abuse without the treat of being sued by a parent.   When the original Gateway bill was passed a few years ago, the topics of the sex education curriculum were stripped in many ways.  This included abstinence  being the only method of birth control   allowed to be taught without the instructor being open to a lawsuit.   Since the original bill was passed, the realization that students may not have an understanding of sexual abuse. This bill requires instruction on the detection, intervention, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse be provided as part of a family life curriculum; extends immunity from a cause of action to instructors or organizations providing such instruction in accordance with state law.

 

Will be heard by the House Education Instruction and Programs Subcommittee on 2/21.

 

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/sub-educationprograms.html

 

Please write in SUPPORT of this bill.

 

 

 

SB 1796 – Separate Wireless Account for Domestic Violence Victims

 

This bill will allow a victim of domestic violence to be removed from a cellular contract maintained with the abuser.  This is similar to a bill which passed a few years ago where a domestic violence victim could be removed from a joint lease with the abuser.

 

To be heard by Senate Judiciary Committee on 2/20

 

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/committees/judiciary.html

 

Please write in SUPPORT of the bill.

 

SB 2476 – Gun Safe Bill

 

This is a bi-partisan bill that would allow gun safes to be exempted from state and local sales taxes.  It is estimated the decrease in tax revenue will be $450,000.  The cost is a concern by the supporters. I witnessed the discussion in the House Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee last week.

 

The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Revenue Subcommittee will hear the bill on 2/20.

 

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/committees/finance.html

 

Please write in SUPPORT of the bill.