(Story courtesy of WVLT News)

Nashville, TN (WSMV) Tennessee lawmakers are attempting to ban the mailing or delivering of abortion-inducing drugs into the state.

HB0026, also known as the “Unborn Child Protection Act of 2025,” was introduced by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) and Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald).

The bill would prohibit a person or entity from mailing or delivering an abortion-inducing drug into the state and subsequently mailing or delivering the results. If the bill is passed, the person, or entity would be liable for $5 million in damages for the “death of the unborn child.”

This bill enacts the “Unborn Child Protection Act of 2025,” which prohibits a person or entity from mailing or delivering an abortion-inducing drug into this state.

This bill defines an “abortion-inducing drug” as a drug or medication that is intended to be used, and is used, to terminate the life of an unborn child, which includes mifepristone, misoprostol, and mifeprex (RU-486) when possessed or distributed to terminate the life of an unborn child. It does not include a drug or medication that is possessed or distributed for a purpose that does not include the termination of the life of an unborn child, such as misoprostol that is used for treating a stomach ulcer.

This bill provides that if a person or entity mails or delivers an abortion-inducing drug into this state and the mailing or delivery results in the death of an unborn child, then the person or entity is strictly liable in the amount of $5 million in damages for the death of the unborn child. Any action brought to recover such damages must proceed under civil procedure law for an injury resulting in death and an action must be commenced within five years of the death of the unborn child. – HB 0026

The bill was filed for introduction on Dec. 9, assigned to the Population Health Subcommittee on Jan. 28, and placed on the subcommittee’s calendar on Feb. 12.

The bill was deferred on Feb. 18 to Feb. 25.