House Republicans pass bill requiring aborted fetuses be cremated or buried in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Tennessee bill that would require aborted fetuses to be buried or cremated passed the House on Monday night.
House Republicans passed SB828/HB1181 on Monday with a 69-22 vote. It's now scheduled for the Senate vote on Wednesday.
"The bill that was passed tonight was not a piece of pro-life legislation," said Rep. London Lamar (D-Memphis). "It is a hateful bill that uses the power of the State Legislature to bring additional trauma to women who have to make a painful and difficult choice. It’s sad that the Legislature is attacking women rather than creating and passing legislation that supports women having safe and healthy babies."
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) and Rep. Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro).
It would require the woman having an abortion, or the healthcare facility performing it, to pay for cremation or burial. It would also require the woman to choose either cremation or burial.
Abortion rights activists took to the Tennessee State Capitol on Monday afternoon to protest the bill ahead of the vote.
