A three-judge panel has ruled that Tennessee cannot discipline doctors who provide emergency abortions to protect the life of the mother while a lawsuit challenging the state’s sweeping abortion ban continues.
    • celeste@kbin.earth
      10·
      1 month ago

      A three-judge panel on Thursday ruled that Tennessee doctors who provide emergency abortions to protect the life of the mother cannot have their medical licenses revoked or face other disciplinary actions while a lawsuit challenging the state’s sweeping abortion ban continues.

      …

      However, the judges also said that because they are a chancery court, they do not have the jurisdiction to block the criminal statute inside the ban — where violators face felony charges carrying a prison sentence as high as 15 years.

      This means that while doctors will not face disciplinary actions from the Attorney General’s office and the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, they could still risk criminal charges under Thursday’s ruling.