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SJR 52

Relating to: congratulating the Wisconsin Lutheran Boys Basketball team on their 2025 Division 1 State Basketball Championship.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Hutton

A nonbinding Tennessee Senate resolution declares the state will not criminalize pregnant people or those who assist with pregnancy outcomes, signaling a policy shift.

Representative Tenorio added as a cosponsor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SJR 52

Summary — Senate Joint Resolution 52 (SJR 52)

Note on source discrepancy
- The bill header you provided lists a congratulatory resolution for the Wisconsin Lutheran Boys Basketball team. The full text attached to SJR 52 is instead a Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution concerning the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. This summary is based on the actual resolution text supplied (the pregnancy-related SJR 52).

Purpose / Intent

SJR 52 is a non‑binding joint resolution expressing the General Assembly’s intent that state law not be used to criminalize pregnant people or their family and friends for pregnancy outcomes (including miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, or other outcomes). It reaffirms a policy stance against arrest, prosecution, or civil penalties related to pregnancy loss or assistance.

Key provisions and findings

  • Declares that no one should fear arrest, prosecution, or civil penalties for experiencing or assisting with a pregnancy loss.
  • Notes that pregnancy outcomes include live birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion.
  • Cites concerns that Tennessee has a high number of cases charging pregnant people for pregnancy-related conduct.
  • References positions of professional organizations (American Bar Association and American Medical Association) opposing criminalization of pregnancy outcomes.
  • Recalls the 2016 legislative decision to allow a “fetal assault” law to sunset and to avoid prosecuting pregnant people for drug use as inconsistent with public health.
  • States that criminalization disproportionately harms low‑income people and people of color and can force family/friends into impossible choices between legal exposure and providing care.
  • Concludes with a formal resolution that it is the legislature’s intention that state laws not be used to criminalize pregnant people and their loved ones for pregnancy outcomes.

Legal effect and likely impact

  • This is a policy resolution (non‑statutory, declaratory). It does not, by itself, create, amend, or repeal criminal statutes or confer legal protections.
  • Impact is primarily symbolic and may:
    • Signal legislative intent to prosecutors, courts, and administrative agencies.
    • Shape future statutory reforms or guidance to law enforcement and health providers.
    • Influence public debate and advocacy around criminal justice and reproductive health policy.

Procedural status (as recorded)

  • Filed/Introduced: February 10, 2025 (sponsor noted as Senator Lamar in the text; other records list Senator Hutton as primary sponsor).
  • Referred to committees (State Affairs; Senate Judiciary noted in actions).
  • Passed/adopted: Records show adoption on May 15, 2025 with immediate messaging and receipt from the Senate.
  • Cosponsorship: Representative Tenorio is recorded as being added as a cosponsor (record date Nov 26, 2025). (There are inconsistencies in the public record dates and sponsor names; the document text and actions should be checked against the official legislative database for final confirmation.)

If you want, I can retrieve or cross‑check the official legislature page to resolve the sponsor/title/date inconsistencies and confirm the final disposition.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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