NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Council members are coming together to propose a framework that would ensure access to abortion, promote comprehensive sex education and offer safer sex supplies in Nashville.
“We already stood up as a Council to say that ending body autonomy for women, trans men and non-binary individuals is wrong. Now we’re taking action. As a woman of childbearing age and the mother of a teenage girl, this fight is personal," said Councilwoman Delishia Porterfield, the lead sponsor of the framework bill. "Reproductive rights and access to healthcare are basic human rights and we won't stand by quietly as our rights are stripped away."
This proposal would set up a grant that would administer the funding as stated below:
- Comprehensive Sex Education — $200,000
- Safer Sex Supplies and Information Campaign with Community Partners — $150,000
- Help Patients Access Abortions Outside Tennessee — $150,000
This comes as the Tennessee abortion trigger law went into effect on Thursday, banning abortions unless doctors are able to prove they did it to prevent the death of the mother's life.
"As someone who has had an abortion, I know how important it is to be able to make that choice for yourself, had I not been able to make that choice in my life when I did, I would have been tied to a bad and potentially dangerous situation then, and still tied to that situation to this day," Councilwoman Ginny Welsch said. "I would not have the life that I have the family that I have I would not have been able to accomplish the many things that I have in my life."
If convicted, doctors face three to six years in prison, and they would likely lose their license.
Currently, the council is working with the mayor's office as well as Metro Finance to make sure they can certify the availability of these funds.
