New TN Laws Regarding Health Freedom & Rights
Thanks to freedom-supporting legislators in the General Assembly, the educational efforts of the TN Chapter of CHD, Reform Pharma, and many grassroots and nonprofit groups (such as Stand For Health Freedom) working to secure and preserve health freedom and informed consent rights in Tennessee, several good bills passed during the 2024 session and are now law.
The Anti-Coercion Law
SB2151 / HB2861 The new Anti-Coercion law prohibits healthcare providers from coercing anyone to get a vaccine, and prohibits medical providers from misrepresenting state laws and the availability of exemptions regarding vaccination or newborn genetic screening. The Senate and House passed differing versions of the bill, and health freedom advocates across the state contacted committee members and their own legislators in support of the Senate version, which had no age limit. The final language was hammered out in a conference committee, but is not yet posted. Find original bill text and amendments on the Bill Page. The discussion on the chamber floors revealed it will not have an age limit – it will be illegal for a healthcare provider to coerce anyone of any age to get a vaccine. And the definition of “coercion” will be: “to compel a person to act by force, intimidation, or threat”. Governor Lee signed the bill into law on May 28, 2024 and becomes effective July 1, 2024.
The “Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act”
SB2749 / HB2936 the “Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act”. This new law contains some very good language, enumerating the fundamental rights of parents in a broad range of areas and provides for legal actions for violations, but while the hard work of health freedom advocates led to several critically important amendments, the bill passed with some concerning language remaining. Several legislators, working with the advocates, intend to address these in the next legislative session. Urgency to pass even though flawed was motivated by changes to federal Title IX rules. The final language that incorporates all the amendments is not yet posted. Find original bill text and amendments on the Bill Page. Governor Lee signed the bill into law on May 28, 2024 and becomes effective July 1, 2024.
The Geo-Engineering Ban Law
HB 2063 / SB 2691 the Geo-Engineering Ban Bill says: “The intentional injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight is prohibited.” This is a great first step toward improving informed consent and the health impact of government programs. The final language is available in Public Chapter 709. Governor Lee signed the bill into law on April 11, 2024 and becomes effective July 1, 2024.
Parental Access to Minor’s Prescriptions Law
HB 2773 / SB 2482 This parental access law requires that a minor’s parent or legal guardian have access to the minor’s prescription records even when the minor is able to obtain treatment without parental consent, except in certain situation. The final language is available in Public Chapter 761. Governor Lee signed the bill into law on April 22, 2024 and became effective immediately.
The Lettuce-Vaccine Law
SB 1903 / HB 1894 The lettuce-vaccine bill protect the public’s right to informed consent by defining any food that contains a vaccine or vaccine material meant for humans as a drug for purposes of the Tennessee Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The final language is available in Public Chapter 742. Governor Lee signed the bill into law on April 22, 2024 and became effective immediately.
Foster/Adoptive Family Religious & Moral Conviction Exemption Law
HB 1726 / SB 2359 The Foster Family law provides religious and moral conviction exemptions to vaccination requirements for foster family household members. (Note: This law does not pertain to the foster/adopted children themselves. The legal parent or guardian of children in foster care or up for adoption are the ones with the legal authority to make vaccination decisions.) The final language is available in Public Chapter 699. Governor Lee signed the bill into law on April 11, 2024 and became effective immediately.