TCA 39-15-216
Section definitions – Determination of gestational age – Fetal heartbeat – Unlawful abortions due to fetal heartbeat or gestational age – Affirmative defense of medical emergency – Report to board of medical examiners – Sev…
FELONY CClass C Felony
Sentence enhancement may apply
What does this charge mean?
Performing an abortion after detection of a fetal heartbeat or after a certain gestational age is illegal unless there is a medical emergency, with the exception defined in the statute. Violations are Class C felonies punishable by 3-15 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines, and physicians' medical licenses must be reported to the licensing board.
Penalty Details
ClassificationClass C Felony
Maximum Jail3-15 years
Maximum Fine$10,000
Penalty SummaryClass C felony; 3-15 years; fine up to $10,000
(a) As used in this section: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.Person: includes the singular and the plural and means and includes any individual, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, governmental subdivision or agency, or other organization or other legal entity, or any agent or servant thereof. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106Record: means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in a perceivable form. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.Services: includes labor, skill, professional service, transportation, telephone, mail, gas, electricity, steam, water, cable television, entertainment subscription service or other public services, accommodations in hotels, restaurants or elsewhere, admissions to exhibitions, use of vehicles or other movable property, and any other activity or product considered in the ordinary course of business to be a service, regardless of whether it is listed in this subdivision (a)(38) or a specific statute exists covering the same or similar conduct. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105(1) “Abortion” has the same meaning as defined in § 39-15-211; (2) “Fetal heartbeat” means cardiac activity or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the heart of an unborn child; (3) “Gestational age” or “gestation” has the same meaning as defined in § 39-15-211; (4) “Medical emergency” has the same meaning as defined in § 39-15-211; provided, that a medical emergency does not include a claim or diagnosis related to the woman’s mental health or a claim or diagnosis that the woman will engage in conduct which would result in her death or substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function; (5) “Unborn child” has the same meaning as defined in § 39-15-211; and (6) “Viable” has the same meaning as defined in § 39-15-211. (b) (1) Before performing or inducing, or attempting to perform or induce, an abortion, the physician shall determine the gestational age of the unborn child in accordance with generally accepted standards of medical practice. (2) A violation of subdivision (b)(1) is a Class C felony. (c) (1) A person shall not perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child has a fetal heartbeat. A violation of this subdivision (c)(1) is a Class C felony. (2) A person shall not perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child is six (6) weeks gestational age or older unless, prior to performing or inducing the abortion, or attempting to perform or induce the abortion, the physician affirmatively determines and records in the pregnant woman’s medical record that, in the physician’s good faith medical judgment, the unborn child does not have a fetal heartbeat at the time of the abortion. In making the good faith medical determination, the physician shall utilize generally accepted standards of medical practice using current medical technology and methodology applicable to the gestational age of the unborn child and reasonably calculated to determine the existence or non-existence of a fetal heartbeat. A violation of this subdivision (c)(2) is a Class C felony. (3) A person shall not perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child is eight (8) weeks gestational age or older. A violation of this subdivision (c)(3) is a Class C felony. (4) A person shall not perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child is ten (10) weeks gestational age or older. A violation of this subdivision (c)(4) is a Class C felony. (5) A person shall not perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child is twelve (12) weeks gestational age or older. A violation of this subdivision (c)(5) is a Class C felony. (6) A person shall not perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child is fifteen (15) weeks gestational age or older. A violation of this subdivision (c)(6) is a Class C felony. (7) A person shall not perform or induce, or attempt to perform or induce, an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child is eighteen (18) weeks gestational age or order. A violation of this subdivision (c)(7) is a Class C felony. (8) A person shall not perform or induce, or atte
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026
Quick Facts
FELONY C
TCA Section39-15-216
Max Jail3-15 years
Max Fine$10,000