New Tennessee Bill would Give Biological Fathers Power to Protect Children from Abortion

Tennessee State Capitol
photo credit: Gary Todd / Flickr

Tennessee legislators will consider a bill that would give biological fathers the power to prevent the mothers of their unborn children from having abortions.

Republican state Sen. Mark Pody introduced SB0494 earlier this month. If passed, the bill would allow fathers to petition a court for an injunction that would prohibit a woman pregnant with that father's child from having an abortion. The petitioner would have to provide proof that they are the unborn child's father (either through DNA testing or the acknowledgment of the pregnant mother).

Additionally, the man would have to submit a "voluntary acknowledgment of paternity" that cannot be rescinded. The father would then be legally responsible for child support and other parental obligations.

If the Senate and House bills are both passed, the legislation would take effect on July 1.

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