HB1044

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, relative to rights of conscience and free speech.

Complete·4/29/25

Tennessee HB1044, known as the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," protects healthcare providers' rights of conscience and free speech.

Tennessee HB1044, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," safeguards healthcare providers' rights of conscience and free speech. It prohibits requiring healthcare providers to participate in or pay for procedures that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. The act also shields providers from discrimination for engaging in protected speech, expression, or association, unless it directly causes physical harm to a patient within the past three years.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Sponsors

0
11
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Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

16 Yea

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5 Nay

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1 Not Voting

R

Calendar

Mar 25, 2025

1:30 PM

House Health Committee Hearing

Mar 18, 2025

1:30 PM

House Health Committee Hearing

History

Apr 29, 2025

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 266

Apr 7, 2025

House

Sponsor(s) Added.

Apr 7, 2025

House

Comp. SB subst.