1. What are the requirements for an abortion clinic to operate in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, abortion clinics must comply with the state’s requirements for licensure and operation. These include:

1. All abortion clinics must be licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health.

2. All physicians performing abortions must be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology or have training and experience in abortion procedures.

3. All abortion clinics must have written policies and procedures for patient confidentiality.

4. All abortion clinics must have a qualified physician on staff at all times.

5. All abortion clinics must have written transfer agreements with hospitals in case of medical emergencies.

6. All abortion clinics must provide informed consent to patients prior to the procedure, as well as information about donating fetal tissue or organs to scientific research.

7. All abortion clinics must provide counseling and referral services related to abortion services and other reproductive health services.

8. All abortion clinics must comply with local, state, and federal regulations regarding the storage and disposal of medical waste from abortions performed at the clinic.

2. Are parental consent laws required for minors to receive abortions in Tennessee?

Yes, in Tennessee, minors are required to obtain parental consent before they can receive an abortion. Minors may be able to bypass the law if they get a court order.

3. Does Tennessee require women to receive counseling prior to obtaining an abortion?

No, Tennessee does not require women to receive counseling prior to obtaining an abortion.

4. Are nurses allowed to perform abortions in Tennessee?

No, nurses in Tennessee are not allowed to perform abortions. In Tennessee, only physicians can legally perform abortions.

5. Are there any restrictions on insurance coverage for abortions in Tennessee?

Yes, there are restrictions on insurance coverage for abortions in Tennessee. Insurance coverage for abortions is only available in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest. Additionally, state Medicaid is only allowed to cover abortions in cases where the woman’s life is endangered or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

6. Does Tennessee allow telemedicine abortions?

No, Tennessee does not allow telemedicine abortions.

7. What are the licensing and certification requirements for providers performing abortions in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, abortions can only be performed by a licensed physician, a certified nurse-midwife, or an advanced practice nurse. The physician must be licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee and the nurse-midwife or advanced practice nurse must be certified by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. The provider must also be registered with the Tennessee Department of Health. All providers must also adhere to the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Tennessee Department of Health.

8. Are there any mandatory waiting periods before a woman can receive an abortion in Tennessee?

Yes, there is a mandatory 48-hour waiting period before a woman can receive an abortion in Tennessee. The waiting period begins when the woman has received state-mandated counseling about both the risks of the procedure and alternatives to it.

9. Is there a state law regulating the transportation of minors across state lines to obtain abortions in Tennessee?

No, there is no state law regulating the transportation of minors across state lines to obtain abortions in Tennessee. The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that a minor has the right to obtain an abortion without the consent of her parents by traveling to another state.

10. Does Tennessee require doctors to provide information about abortion risks and alternatives to patients prior to performing an abortion?

Yes. Tennessee requires that “[p]rior to performing an abortion, the physician shall inform the pregnant woman of the following: (A) The probable gestational age of the unborn child; (B) The medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure to be employed including, when medically accurate, the risks of infection, hemorrhage, danger to subsequent pregnancies and infertility; and (C) The medical risks associated with carrying her child to term.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-305(a). The physician must also “provide the pregnant woman with a list of agencies that offer alternatives to abortion, including adoption agencies and agencies that provide ultrasound examinations at no cost to the pregnant woman.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-305(b).

11. Is it legal for health care providers to refuse to provide abortions based on religious or moral objections in Tennessee?

Yes, it is legal for health care providers to refuse to provide abortions based on religious or moral objections in Tennessee. The state has a law that explicitly allows healthcare providers to refuse to provide abortion services on religious or moral grounds.

12. Is it legal for hospitals or other institutions to refuse to perform abortions in Tennessee?

Yes, it is legal for hospitals or other institutions to refuse to perform abortions in Tennessee. Tennessees healthcare facilities are not required to perform abortions and have the right to refuse based on their religious and moral beliefs.

13. Are there any state-funded programs to cover the costs of abortions in Tennessee?

No, there are no state-funded programs to cover the costs of abortions in Tennessee.

14. Are late-term abortions available in Tennessee?

No, late-term abortions are not available in Tennessee. The state has a ban on abortions after 24 weeks of gestation, except in cases where the mother’s life is at risk.

15. Are there any laws regulating the disposal of fetal tissue after a pregnancy termination in Tennessee?

Yes, there are laws in Tennessee that regulate the disposal of fetal tissue after a pregnancy termination. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, fetal tissue must be removed from the uterus and placed in a sealed container and then the container must be labeled with the date and time of removal. The container is then placed in an approved medical waste disposal company for proper disposal. Additionally, the woman must sign a form acknowledging that she has been informed of the proper disposal requirements and that she has consented to the procedure.

16. Does Tennessee allow for conscientious objection by medical professionals providing abortion services?

Yes. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, “Health care providers have the right to refuse participation in abortion services based on the conscientious objection of the provider.”

17. Do pharmacists have the right to refuse to provide contraceptives or medication needed for abortions if it conflicts with their religious beliefs in Tennessee?

Yes. In Tennessee, pharmacists have the right to refuse to provide contraceptives or medication needed for abortions if it conflicts with their religious beliefs. The Tennessee Religious Freedom Act, which was passed in 2014 and amended in 2015, protects the right of pharmacists to refuse to provide these services on religious grounds.

18. What are the age and residency requirements for minors seeking abortions without parental consent in Tennessee?

A minor in Tennessee can obtain an abortion without parental consent if they are at least 15 years old and have lived in the state for at least six months prior to the date of the abortion.

However, minors must still meet the informed consent requirements of Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 39-15-202, which require that a minor be informed of the risks and alternatives to an abortion before they can receive the procedure.

19. How many clinics are providing abortions in Tennessee, and how are they regulated by the state government?

As of 2019, there are currently eight abortion clinics in the state of Tennessee. All of these clinics are subject to regulations imposed by the state government, including a 48-hour waiting period, an ultrasound requirement, and parental consent for minors. Additionally, public funding is prohibited for abortions in Tennessee, and the state also has a “trigger law” in place that would immediately ban abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

20. Does Tennessee have any laws limiting access to comprehensive reproductive health care services, such as birth control, emergency contraception, or STD testing and treatment, at abortion clinics?

No, Tennessee does not have any laws limiting access to comprehensive reproductive health care services at abortion clinics.