How Far Can Abortion Laws Go?
Tennessee Lawmakers Reject Bill Classifying Abortion as Murder.
by Kaila Hu ★ March 31st, 2026
Design by: Maisy Wood
Earlier this year, a Tennessee Republican lawmaker introduced House Bill 570, which classifies abortion as criminal homicide. If enacted, those who terminate their pregnancies could face jail time, including up to life in prison or even the death penalty. The Foundation to Abolish Abortion drafted the bill and justified it by claiming it invoked the "Law of God."
The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned the constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade. Abortion laws are now decided on a state level, leading to debate across the nation.
The bill would treat the act of terminating a pregnancy as not just a medical issue, but as a criminal act equivalent to committing a homicide. This allows for the prosecution of the pregnant person, rather than focusing on the medical providers.
What does this mean moving forward? The bill failed to advance in the legislature, leaving its immediate impact on Tennessee residents limited. Many opponents argued it was too restrictive and that it sought to make women who seek abortions eligible for execution. While the bill did not pass, its introduction serves as a catalyst for further restrictions on abortion and raises questions about what legislation could look like in the future. Many politicians are still pushing for it, including Republican state Rep. Jody Barrett, who expects to revive the bill in 2027.
According to Yahoo News, Barrett claimed the outcome did not match Tennessee Republicans' principles and that "nobody should have legal immunity to commit murder against any human in this state." Since this legislation has the potential to return, staying informed about state-level abortion policies has never been more important. What happens in one state can shift the lives of people in another, regardless of whether you live in Tennessee or Syracuse, New York.
Edited by: Alexa Murland