Legislative Recap: Tennessee Legislation on Life & Faith: Progress and Challenges

In a world that increasingly rejects the sanctity of life and attacks religious freedom, Tennessee must remain a beacon of hope. During the 114th General Assembly, we faced legislation dealing with health care, religious liberty, and the dignity of life. While caring for the vulnerable is essential, we must also ask: what is the proper role of government, especially in mental health? Our state faces a real mental health crisis, marked by a shortage of professionals and a lack of lasting solutions. Too often, the system relies on medication instead of true healing. I believe government should avoid simply expanding bureaucracy and instead focus on fostering environments where families, churches, communities, and private providers can step in with effective, compassionate care.

Protecting Life at Every Stage

Massive Health Investment – Tennessee allocated $1.5 billion in new funding for health and social services, including nursing home providers, behavioral health services, and dental care. While this was passed as a commitment to caring for the most vulnerable Tennesseans, I have concerns about continuing to grow government programs—especially in mental health.

My Position –The real problem isn’t a lack of government spending, but a shortage of professionals, innovative solutions, and community support. Too often, our system defaults to medicating people rather than addressing root causes and pursuing true healing.

What is also missing is a multi-faceted approach that includes long-term in-house care for those who have serious, ongoing needs that go far beyond the 2–3 days typically allowed to stabilize patients. States will need federal partnership to make a massive investment in such long-term care facilities, because mental health will reform require more than quick fixes or temporary programs.

I believe lasting answers come not from bigger government bureaucracy, but by empowering families, churches, local organizations, and private providers to lead the way in providing effective, compassionate, and sustainable care—while also ensuring those with the most severe needs have access to structured, long-term treatment options.

Protecting the Terminally Ill

Gene Therapy Access (HB192) – This bill allowed terminal patients to access experimental mRNA gene therapies, including “cancer vaccines.” While I deeply sympathize with those facing terminal illness, I voted against this bill because we already have a right to try law which allows targeted attacks on cancer's genome and other experimental therapies.  Experimental human genetic treatments should remain within carefully monitored clinical trials, not rushed to patients without adequate safeguards. Our compassion must be matched with wisdom about long-term risks.

Protecting from Foreign Interference

Protected DNA and Organs from Foreign Adversaries (HB395) – We passed legislation to prohibit foreign adversaries from accessing Tennesseans’ genetic information and organs. This ensures that our most personal biological data is not compromised by countries that could weaponize such information against us.

Defending Religious Freedom

Religious Freedom for Healthcare Workers (HB1044) – I voted against this bill because it risked allowing providers’ rights to override patients’ rights. While I strongly support religious freedom and conscience protections, this legislation failed to consider situations where patients’ beliefs may conflict—for example, people denied transplants due to blood transfusion or vaccine status. Both patients and providers deserve respect. I can only hope this law is not taken advantage of, and that it truly protects healthcare workers who don’t want to be forced into acts that violate their faith.

HB111 – Mandated Prenatal Testing

I voted No because it mandates repetitive medical testing for syphillis and Hepatitis C during pregnancy—even when treatment is medically contraindicated. Doctors already have discretion to recommend appropriate testing without a one-size-fits-all government mandate. Treatment for syphilis late in pregnancy increases risks of premature labor, fetal distress, and stillbirth. Hepatitis C treatments during pregnancy can cause birth defects.

HB533 – Codifying IVF and Contraceptive Access

I voted No because while I support access to IVF and contraceptives, this bill creates an overly broad and undefined “right” that includes embryo destruction and reclassifying potentially abortion-inducing drugs as contraceptives. By codifying this vague entitlement, the bill also further opens the door for expanded government involvement and regulation in this area, which will likely lead to more restrictions, more mandates, and more litigation in the future. Nothing in Tennessee law currently prohibits or restricts IVF or contraceptives. Families experiencing infertility would still have the ability to pursue IVF under existing law if it did not pass.

Why This Matters

• The Sanctity of Life: Every human life, from conception to natural death, has worth and dignity.

• Religious Freedom: The right to live according to one’s conscience is foundational to liberty.

• The Culture War Is Real: From abortion expansion to attacks on faith, America faces a coordinated effort to undermine life and freedom. Tennessee must respond thoughtfully and firmly.

Real Impact 

• Pregnant women face new mandatory testing requirements—but one-size-fits-all approaches don’t always equal better care. We must do more to ensure individualized, compassionate treatment.

• Terminally ill patients now have more treatment options, though I remain concerned about prematurely expanding genetic therapies.

• Healthcare workers have new conscience protections, though the law still leaves unanswered questions about balancing patient rights.

• Creating a vague, undefined “right” could open the door to court battles, future mandates, and expanded government control that could ultimately restrict families’ options rather than protect them.

• Vulnerable populations are receiving significant state funding, though we must remain vigilant about costs, accountability, and outcomes.

Looking Ahead

In Tennessee, we boldly affirm the sanctity of life and the importance of religious freedom. These are not just political positions—they are foundational convictions that shape the kind of society we want to build. But we must also learn from each vote and weigh the unintended consequences of well-meaning laws.

The fight for life and liberty is ongoing. Tennessee should lead with prudence—showing that a state can prosper while protecting both faith and freedom.

We must continue working toward a culture where every life is valued, every conscience respected, and every person treated with the dignity they deserve as children of God.

Defending Life and Liberty,

Michele Reneau

TN State Representative

District 27, Hamilton County