Family Action Council of Tennessee: Legislation

Status of Family Bills in Tennessee

How will new legislation in Nashville affect family values accross Tennessee? FACT has compiled a quick table below to keep you informed of relevant bills making their way through the state legislative process. Here you will find summaries of what new bills would mean for your family, along with links to the full text of all bills and amendments. This page will be updated throughout the legislative session, so please check back often for the latest information.

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POLICY AREAs

Adult Entertainment

more information

How a bill becomes law

Contact your legislator

Tennessee state constitution

ADOPTION LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB3910 and HB3713

Adoption

Full text of this bill:

Sponsored by Stanley in Senate; DeBerry J. in 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:

Off notice. No further action anticipated.

House:

Referred to the Family Justice Subcommittee of the Children & Family Affairs Committee on 2/12/2008.

Why this bill is needed

What Kind of Family Is Best?

Frequently Asked Questions

Bill History:

Background:

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

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ADULT ENTERTAINMENT LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB2859 and HB2442

Local Government, General

Full text of this bill:

sponsored by Burchett in Senate; Hardaway in House

Raises the age to be a “cabaret” entertainer from 18 to 21 and requires such entertainer to obtain a permit. (Amends TCA Title 7.)

None

Senate:

Off notice. No further action anticipated.

House:

Deferred in the Local Government Subcommittee of the State & Local Government Committee since 4/9/2008.

FACT believes the increased maturity will encourage educational attainment and help protect younger women from a decision they may later regret.

Bill History:

Background:

See FACT's Human Sexuality resource page

EDUCATION LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB3412 and HB2795

Education

Full text of this bill:

sponsored by Tate in Senate; Hardaway in House

Extends public school testing requirements to students in non-public schools. (Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 6; Section 49-6-3050 and Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 60.)

None

Senate:

Referred to Education Committee on 1/23/2008.

House:

Failed in the Special Initiatives Subcommittee of the Education Committee on 3/19/2008.

This bill unnecessarily infringes on the rights of parents to determine the curriculum for their children.

Bill History:

SB4104 and HB4089 Education

Full text of this bill:

sponsored by Herron in Senate; Maddox in House

Allows the state board of education to develop a curriculum for an academic and nonsectarian study of the Bible. (Amends TCA Title 49.)

This bill contains the following amendment:

Senate:

Passed as amended by House on 5/14/2008.

House:

Passed as amended by Amendment 4 and sent to Senate on 5/13/2008.

With amendment HA1559, this bill protects current Bible classes and prohibits only one approved curriculum.

Bill History:

MENTAL HEALTH TESTING LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB1959 and HB1419

Education

Full text of this bill:

sponsored by Black in Senate; Harwell in House

Places restrictions on universal mental health testing of minors; requires certain consent by a minor’s parent, guardian or caregiver prior to such testing. (Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4 and Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 1.)

This bill contains the following amendments:

Senate:

Passed on 5/7/2007.

House:

Failed in the Public Health & Family Assistance Subcommittee of the Health & Human Resources Committee on 3/5/2008.

FACT believes that this law is necessary to protect minors from intrusive questioning and to protect the rights and interests of parents.

Bill History:

OBSCENITY LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB0014 and HB1108

Criminal Offenses

Full text of this bill:

sponsored by Jackson in Senate; Buck in 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.)

This bill contains the following amendments:

Senate:

Passed on 5/16/2007.

House:

Off notice. No further action anticipated.

FACT believes the bill protects children from exposure to destructive understandings of human sexuality.

Bill History:

Background:

See FACT's Human Sexuality resource page

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PRIVACY LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB2963 and HB3412

Consumer Protection

Full text of this bill:

sponsored by Ketron in Senate; Lynn in House

Requires that consumers be informed of the use of tracking devices on consumer products or identification documents. (Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18).

None

Senate:

Off notice. No further action anticipated.

House:

Off notice. No further action anticipated.

FACT's position is that this bill helps protect the privacy rights of consumers.

Bill History:

Background:

FAQ: Microchip implants

Alzheimer's Patients Targeted for Medical Implant Experimentation

Objections to Forced Microchipping

SB3747 and HB3411

Criminal Offenses

Full text of this bill:

sponsored by Ketron in Senate; Lynn in House

Makes the unauthorized implantation of an electronic identification and/or tracking device on any human being a Class A misdemeanor. (Amends TCA Title 39.)

None

Senate:

Off notice. No further action anticipated.

House:

Failed in the Criminal Practice & Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee on 4/2/2008.

FACT's position is that this bill protects the integrity of the individual and his or her privacy rights.

Bill History:

Background:

FAQ: Microchip implants

Alzheimer's Patients Targeted for Medical Implant Experimentation

Objections to Forced Microchipping

RIGHT TO LIFE LEGISLATION

Bill and Sponsor	Bill Summary	Amendments	Bill Status	FACT's Position	More Information
SJR127 Constitutional Amendment Full text of this bill sponsored by Black in 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.	This bill contains the following amendments: SA0845 SA0836	Senate: Passed by Senate on 1/30/2008. House: Failed in the Public Health & Family Assistance Subcommittee of the Health & Human Resources Committee on 2/26/08.	This bill as amended will help to protect life in Tennessee.	Bill History Background: See FACT's Right-to-Life resource page
SB3512 and HB3682 Abortion Full text of this bill: In the Senate In the House sponsored by Herron in Senate; Pinion in House	Purports to require informed consent prior to an abortion and a period of reflection prior to an abortion, with certain exceptions. (Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15, Part 2.)	None	Senate: Off notice. No further action anticipated. House: Assigned to the Public Health & Family Assistance Subcommittee of the Health & Human Resources Committee on 2/12/2008.	This bill does not accomplish its stated purpose and undermines the passage of SJR127.	Bill History: In the Senate In the House Background: This bill is not what it appears.
SB3049 and HB3308 Public Health Full text of this bill: In the Senate In the House sponsored by Finney in Senate; Lynn in 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.)	This bill contains the following amendments: SA1371	Senate: Passed in the General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee on 4/16/08; awaiting action by full Senate. House: Assigned to the Public Health & Family Assistance Subcommittee of the Health & Human Resources Committee on 2/26/2008.	This bill would require that Title X funding for women's health services go first to local health departments before going to private providers such as Planned Parenthood that also perform abortions.	Bill History: In the Senate In the House Background: Congressmen Call for Defunding Planned Parenthood

SEX EDUCATION

Bill and Sponsor

Bill Summary

Amendments

Bill Status

FACT's Position

More Information

SB3419 and HB3161

Children

Full text of this bill:

sponsored by Johnson in Senate; DeBerry in House

Requires child care agencies to obtain parental consent before engaging in personal safety instruction related to the prevention of child sexual abuse. (Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 3, Part 5.)

This bill contains the following amendments:

Passed by Senate on 2/13/2008 and by House on 5/6/2008. Referred to Governor on 5/16/08.

FACT believes this bill supports the rights of parents of preschool children to know what information about child sexual abuse is going to be given to their children and how it will be taught.

Bill History:

Background:

See FACT's Human Sexuality resource page

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