Vivian Jones

1 month ago | usatoday.com | Vivian Jones

Following intense controversy – including a letter from 11 House Republicans asking him to veto the bill – Gov. Bill Lee has signed into law a bill that offers legal protections for women’s access to birth control and fertility care. Lee told reporters he planned to sign the bill minutes after the legislative session adjourned, and the governor's office confirmed to The Tennessean that Lee signed it on April 24.

1 month ago | tennessean.com | Vivian Jones

Following intense controversy – including a letter from 11 House Republicans asking him to veto the bill – Gov. Bill Lee has signed into law a bill that offers legal protections for women’s access to birth control and fertility care. Lee told reporters he planned to sign the bill minutes after the legislative session adjourned, and the governor's office confirmed to The Tennessean that Lee signed it on April 24.

1 month ago | tennessean.com | Melissa Brown |Vivian Jones

Tennessee lawmakers adjourned for the year on April 22, concluding a session shaped by controversy over education for undocumented students, diversity programs, taxes on vape producs and legal protections for birth control and in-vitro fertilization. At times, the session was full of contrasts for Republicans, who hold a supermajority in the Tennessee General Assembly.

1 month ago | tennessean.com | Melissa Brown |Vivian Jones

A bill that could block education access to students in the country without legal status was the most controversial of the session. But the legislation did not advance this year over cost concerns.

1 month ago | tennessean.com | Vivian Jones

Birth control and in-vitro fertilization treatment in Tennessee is already legal. House Bill 533 codifies those protections and doe not prevent lawmakers from regulating IVF in the future. Still, 11 Republican lawmakers and two influential conservative groups are urging Gov. Bill Lee to veto the bill. After squeaking through a contentious House vote, 11 Tennessee House Republicans and multiple conservative groups are asking Gov.