Article I. Declaration of Rights
Article I, Section 36
Constitution of the State of Tennessee
Official text
Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.
Source: Tennessee Blue Book 2025-2026 (Tennessee Secretary of State)
In plain English
The Tennessee Constitution does not secure or protect a right to abortion or require public funding of abortion. The people keep the power, through their elected legislators, to pass, amend or repeal abortion laws, including laws addressing pregnancy from rape or incest or to save the life of the mother. Voters adopted this section in 2014.
Plain-English summary drafted by Christian Vote USA; editor review pending. Always read the official text above.
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