A Texas law that went into effect Wednesday bans abortions after cardiac activity is detected. The bill is similar to what Tennessee has on the law books, but the difference is who can be penalized.
In Texas, anyone who is caught assisting a person in obtaining an abortion can face criminal penalties. Tennessee State Rep. Jerry Sexton says he agrees with the bill.
“If you’ve got someone sitting in the car that’s going to haul off the bank robbers, they didn’t shoot anybody, but they’re an accomplice to it,” Sexton said. “So, anyone that takes someone else’s life should be held accountable for that.”
Sexton co-sponsored the most recent abortion law in Tennessee. Like Texas, it bans abortions after cardiac activity is heard, but in Tennessee, abortion providers are the ones at risk. If caught, a doctor could receive up to 15 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. The law is currently blocked by the courts from taking effect.
Sexton didn’t say if he’d try to add Texas’ provisions to Tennessee’s law books.
The president of Planned Parenthood Tennessee fears it could be the next step.
“People in Tennessee have got to watch what’s happening in Texas really closely because Gov. Lee and the General Assembly could very easily replicate what’s happening here,” Ashley Coffield said.
However, Governor Bill Lee says he isn’t looking to make any changes.
“We do not have any current plans to move forward beyond what we are currently awaiting, which is a ruling from the court on the existing piece of legislation that we have.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Rep. Jerry Sexton’s title as House Speaker, which is the role of Cameron Sexton.
This is a developing story last updated at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
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