Family Action Council of Tennessee: Legislation

What kind of family is best?

Sponsor(s):

Stanley in the Senate; DeBerry J. in the House

Prohibits adoption of minor by couples who are cohabitating in a sexual relationship outside of a valid marriage. (Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 49.)

None

Senate:

Referred to the Judiciary Committee on 2/11/2009.

House:

Referred to the Family Justice Subcommittee of the Children & Family Affairs Committee on 2/18/2009.

Why this bill is needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Bill History:

Talking Points: Are Same-Sex Families Good for Children?

Background:

SB2136 and HB2159

Adoption

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Black in the Senate; Hensley in the House

Enacts the “Embryo Donation and Adoption Act of 2009.” (Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 68.)

None

Senate:

This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session.

House:

This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session.

This bill would encourage the adoption of frozen embryos that might otherwise not survive or become a commodity.

Bill History:

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB0662 and HB1139
Local Government, General

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Stanley in the Senate; Hardaway in the House

Applies certain regulations on a state-wide basis concerning hours of operation, prohibited acts, and permitting regulations for employees and entertainers of adult-oriented establishments and adult cabarets. (Amends TCA Title 7.)

None

Senate:

Referred to the Judiciary Committee on 2/18/2009.

House:

Scheduled for the Local Government Subcommittee of the State and Local Government Committee on 5/06/2009.

This bill would regulate strip clubs to the extent constitutionally permitted and protect local governments from expensive lawsuits.

Why we need this bill

Bill History:

See FACT's Human Sexuality resource page

Background:

EDUCATION LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB2133 and HB2146
Education

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Woodson, Gresham in the Senate; Harwell, Pruitt, Weaver in the House

Expands definition of chartering authority to include the state board of education; provides for open enrollment charter schools; lifts caps on number of charter schools. (Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 13.)

Signed by Governor on 6/29/2009.

***
VICTORY
for the Family!

This bill would allow more charter schools thereby providing more academic freedom and more choice to parents for the education of their children.

Bill History:

ETHICS LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB3160 and HB2146
Ethics

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Bunch in the Senate; Dunn in the House

Enacts the "Ben Nelson Act to Ensure Political Integrity." (Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16.)

None

Senate:

Introduced on 1/27/2010.

House:

Introduced on 1/28/2010.

This bill would discourage public officials from voting for a bill or trading their votes on a bill in order to secure a personal job or a fiscal benefit only for their district at the expense of all other districts.

Bill History:

HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB2490 and HB2654
Health Care

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Black in the Senate; Maggart in the House

Prohibits any provision of law from compelling any person, health care provider, or employer from participating in any health care system. (Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.)

None

Senate:

Introduced on 1/25/2010.

House:

Introduced on 1/25/2010.

Bill History:

SB2511 and HB2562
Drugs

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

B. Marrero in the Senate; Richardson in the House

Enacts the "Safe Access to Medical Cannabis Act." (Amends TCA Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68.)

None

Senate:

Introduced on 1/25/2010.

House:

Introduced on 1/25/2010.

Bill History:

JUDICIAL ELECTIONS LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB1573 and HB1448
Judges and Chancellors

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Woodson in the Senate; McCord in the House

Raises number of words from 600 to 1,000 that a report from the judicial evaluation commission on each appellate judge may contain. (Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4, Chapter 29, Part 2; Title 16 and Title 17.)

Signed by Governor on 6/25/2009.

The amendment that would rewrite the filed bill would continue the current gubernatorial appointment and retention election process for Supreme Court judges without real elections and choice of candidates.

Bill History:

Constitutional Judicial Elections (audio 60 sec)

Background:

Is Following the State Constitution a Bad Policy?

SB2168 and HB2018
Courts

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Bunch in the Senate; Kelsey in the House

Authorizes the governor to make interim appointments to fill judicial vacancies if the judicial selection commission sunsets on June 30, 2009.

SA0579

Senate:

Scheduled for 6/18/2009.

House:

This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session.

This bill would ensure that any vacancy on an appellate court can be filled by the Governor until the next election.

Bill History:

Courtroom Showdown at the State Capitol

Background:

OBSCENITY LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB0257 and HB0624

Criminal Offenses

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Jackson in the Senate; Maggart in the House

Prohibits television station or cable television company from advertising or promoting material that it knows or should know to be obscene or harmful to minors. (Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 9.)

None

Senate:

Referred to the Commerce, Labor & Agriculture Committee on 2/11/2009.

House:

Referred to the Criminal Practice and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee on 2/17/2009.

This bill protects children from exposure to destructive understandings of human sexuality.

Why we need this bill

Bill History:

See FACT's Human Sexuality resource page

Background:

PARENTAL RIGHTS LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB2089 and HB1762
Medicine, Practice of

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Beavers in the Senate; Shipley in the House

Requires doctors and hospitals treating minor children to release the results of medical tests and procedures performed on the child to the child's parents upon request. (Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 6, Part 1; Title 63 and Title 68.)

SA0602

HA0513

Senate:

Failed in the General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee on 5/20/2009.

House:

This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session.

This bill allows parents access to the medical records of their minor children on the premise that minor children are under the authority of their parents and that parents are responsible for their minor children.

Bill History:

SB0850 and HB1552

Education

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Black in the Senate; Harwell in the House

Places restrictions on universal mental health testing, or psychiatric or socioemotional screening of juveniles; requires certain consent by a juvenile's parent, guardian, legal custodian, or caregiver before such testing can occur. (Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4 and Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 1.)

None

Signed by Governor on 5/05/2009. Effective 7/01/2009.

***
VICTORY
for the Family!

This law is necessary to protect minors from intrusive questioning and to protect the rights and interests of parents.

Bill History:

PRIVACY LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB0153 and HB2059

Criminal Offenses

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Ketron in the Senate; Lynn in the House

Classifies as a Class A misdemeanor, subject to a fine only, the unauthorized implantation of an electronic identification and/or tracking device or mark placed on any human being. (Amends TCA Title 39.)

None

Senate:

Referred to the Judiciary Committee on 2/11/2009.

House:

Scheduled for the Criminal Practice and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee on 1/20/2010.

This bill protects the integrity of the individual and his or her privacy rights.

Bill History:

FAQ: Microchip implants

Background:

Alzheimer's Patients Targeted for Medical Implant Experimentation

Objections to Forced Microchipping

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

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FACT's Position

More Information

SB1426 and HB1706

Health Care

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

Stanley in the Senate; Hensley in the House

Enacts the "Healthcare Freedom of Conscience Act." (Amends TCA Title 68.)

None

Senate:

Referred to the General Welfare, Health & Human Resources Committee on 2/18/2009.

House:

Assigned to the Professional Occupations Subcommittee of the Health and Human Resources Committee on 3/17/2009.

This bill would protect the rights of conscience of a wide range of health care providers in connection with abortion.

Bill History:

SB1283 and HB1598
Religion and Religious Organizations

Full Text:

Why we need a Religious Freedom Protection Act

Sponsor(s):

Bunch in the Senate; Lynn in the House

Prohibits a government entity from substantially burdening a person's free exercise of religion unless it demonstrates the application of the burden is essential to further a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.

SA0696

HA0516

Signed by Governor on 7/01/2009.

***
VICTORY
for the Family!

The amendment SA0696 prevents the religious liberty protections under this bill from applying to citizens who work for certain state government agencies.

Bill History:

State Religious Freedom
Restoration Acts

Booklet:

RIGHT TO LIFE LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor	Bill Summary	Amendments	Bill Status	FACT's Position	More Information
SJR0127 Constitutional Amendment Full text Sponsor(s): Black in the Senate	Adds new provision to Article I to provide that nothing in Constitution of Tennessee secures or protects right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion; states that 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.	SA0083 HA0378	Adopted by the Senate on 3/23/2009 and by the House on 5/18/2009. By law, it must be adopted a second time by both chambers in 2011-12 before it is placed on the ballot in 2014. *** VICTORY for the Family!	This bill as amended will help to protect life in Tennessee. Why we need this bill	Bill History Background: FACT's Right-to-Life resource page
HJR0061 Constitutional Amendment Full text Sponsor(s): Fincher in the House	Adds new provision to Article I to provide that nothing in Constitution of Tennessee secures or protects right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion except in cases involving rape, incest, or health of the mother.	None	House: Failed in the Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee of the Health and Human Resources Committee on 3/24/2009. *** VICTORY for the Family!	This bill would allow judges to write abortion policy into our state constitution and require taxpayers to fund virtually all abortions.	Bill History The Constitutional “Right” to Abortion: Testimony by Paul Linton FACT's Right to Life resource page
SB0470 and HB1756 Public Health Full Text: Senate version House version Sponsor(s): Johnson in the Senate; Hensley in the House	Establishes a new methodology for disposition of family planning funds that disburses funds to public women's health services programs before other providers are funded. (Amends TCA Section 68-34-105.)	SA0755 HA0804	Signed by Governor on 7/01/2009. *** VICTORY for the Family!	This bill would allow local health departments that do not provide abortions to receive the tax dollars that currently go to Planned Parenthood.	Bill History: In the Senate In the House
SB0640 and HB1532 Hospitals and Health Care Facilities Full Text: Senate version House version Sponsor(s): B. Marrero in the Senate; Favors in the House	Enacts the so-called "Emergency Care for Rape Victims Act." (Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11.)	None	Senate: This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session. House: This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session.	This bill encourages abortion of a fertilized egg (a human being) and disregards the rights of conscience of health care practitioners in emergency rooms and religious hospitals.	Bill History: In the Senate In the House The "Morning-After Pill," Abortion and Informed Consent
SB1426 and HB1706 Health Care Full Text: Senate version House version Sponsor(s): Stanley in the Senate; Hensley in the House	Enacts the "Healthcare Freedom of Conscience Act." (Amends TCA Title 68.)	None	Senate: Referred to the General Welfare, Health & Human Resources Committee on 2/18/2009. House: Assigned to the Professional Occupations Subcommittee of the Health and Human Resources Committee on 3/17/2009.	This bill would protect the rights of conscience of a wide range of health care providers in connection with abortion.	Bill History: In the Senate In the House
SB2136 and HB2159 Adoption Full Text: Senate version House version Sponsor(s): Black in the Senate; Hensley in the House	Enacts the “Embryo Donation and Adoption Act of 2009.” (Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 68.)	None	Senate: This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session. House: This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session.	This bill would encourage the adoption of frozen embryos that might otherwise not survive or become a commodity.	Bill History: In the Senate In the House

SEXUAL ORIENTATION LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB0253 and HB0335
Criminal Procedure

Full Text:

Sponsor(s):

B. Marrero in the Senate; Richardson in the House.

Adds as an advisory enhancement factor to sentencing that defendant intentionally chose victim of crime based on gender identity or expression. (Amends TCA Section 40-35-114.)

None

Senate:

Scheduled for the Judiciary Committee on 5/13/2009.

House:

This bill will not be taken up during the current legislative session.

This bill confuses “motive,” never an element of a crime, with “intent” and sets the precedent of giving legal recognition to a variety of sexually related practices such as cross-dressing.

Bill History: