LUCAS L. JOHNSON II,Associated Press Writer
NASHVILLE - A Democratic senator opposed to a measure that would require abortion clinics in Tennessee to post anti-coercion signs said Wednesday the legislation is intimidating.
Sen. Beverly Marrero of Memphis was one of two senators who voted against the measure that the Senate approved 29-2. Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, was the other dissenting vote.
Any type of coercion to have an abortion is prohibited under current law. But sponsors said some women may not know that and the sign simply spells out what's in the law.
The legislation would require clinics to conspicuously post signs that would read in part: "It is against the law for anyone, regardless of the person's relationship to you, to coerce you into having or to force you to have an abortion."
Facilities that don't comply could be fined as much as $2,500.
"They have ridiculous civil penalties that they put on this that are just absolutely for no other purpose but to intimidate people that are trying to help people that are in the process of trying to have an abortion," Marrero said.
"They're not trying to put up signs for people being forced to have vasectomies or other medical procedures. To the best of my knowledge, it is still the law of this land that you can legally have an abortion."
Senate sponsor Jack Johnson, a Franklin Republican, said recent statistics show 64 percent of women who receive abortions "were coerced into having that abortion."
Linda Norfleet of Hermitage was among about 100 anti-abortion supporters in the balcony of the Senate chamber during Wednesday's vote and called it historic.
"The measure ... represents a huge step forward on behalf of the safety of young women and their personal decisions, as well as safety for the life of their unborn child," she said.
The companion bill is awaiting a vote on the House floor.