The Overview
Organizing efforts around IVF and contraception protections have ramped up nationally, after the Alabama Supreme Court recently ruled that frozen embryos are considered children. In contrast, Tennessee lawmakers advanced a new bill to protect birth control and fertility treatments like IVF, while rejecting broader abortion rights legislation. The bill clarifies that contraceptives and fertility treatments do not count as abortion under state criminal law. [](#ngr-73785cda-0e4f-4c10-a192-7feeae477719)
What the Law Does
The bill covers any device, medication, biological product, or procedure generally intended for pregnancy prevention, whether or not pregnancy prevention is the specific purpose, as well as healthcare services, testing, medications, treatments, and products related to embryo disposal from fertility treatments. It clarifies that the term "abortion," as defined under Tennessee's criminal abortion statute, does not include contraceptives (any device, medication, or procedure intended to prevent pregnancy) or the disposal of embryos from fertility treatments. Criminal abortion is classified as a felony under Tennessee law.
By the Numbers
Tennessee has a female population of approximately 3.5 million, representing roughly 50 percent of the state's 7.1 million residents. Approximately 10 percent of Tennesseans lack health insurance, a factor that can affect access to contraception and fertility treatments.
The Debate
State Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) is the lead sponsor of SB 3, which has a companion bill in the House, HB 14. After passing in a prior legislative session, the bill was reintroduced in the 2024-2025 session and filed for introduction on November 13, 2024. The bill was introduced on January 14, 2025, passed on first consideration the same day, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 15, 2025. The bill was signed by the Senate Speaker on July 30, 2026, and engrossed, ready for transmission to the House the same day.
Rep. Harold Love stated that "Since Dobbs, people genuinely want clarity" on bills like SB 3 and HB 14. Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood stated they support the bill because "we need to protect the right to contraception and family planning services for all Tennesseans." The ACLU of Tennessee listed protecting and expanding access to contraception and fertility treatments as a 2025 legislative priority.
Rep. Chris Todd called a related Republican-led bill "absolutely unnecessary" and suggested pursuing a bill that the ACLU opposes. Rep. Timothy Hill warned colleagues on the House floor about voting for the bill in association with pro-abortion-rights organizations. The advocacy group the Tennessee Freedom Circle led the organizing effort around IVF protections in Tennessee.
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This article was generated by AI pulling from data. Each article is edited by an editor for accuracy and clarity.
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