A law that criminalizes women who give birth to drug dependent babies will sunset July 1.
An amendment to extend the law failed to pass in a Criminal Justice Subcommittee, receiving three votes in favor and three votes against the proposal. The fetal assault law criminalizes mothers who use illegal narcotic drugs while pregnant and do not seek treatment.
The failed amendment would have not only extended the law, but also limited it to only apply after 25 weeks of pregnancy. Tennessee Representative William Lamberth said the language of the bill was changed to 25 weeks because proponents of the bill were concerned women were having abortions to avoid criminal prosecution.
“It has been amended to specifically allow (continue reading)