Tennessee fetal-remains bill advances

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will decide whether some medical providers will be required to cremate or bury fetal remains from surgical abortions under legislation that the Republican-supermajority Senate passed along party lines Wednesday.

The proposal, which passed the House earlier this week, is headed to the governor’s desk for his approval. The Republican hasn’t publicly weighed in on the bill, but he has repeatedly stressed his opposition to abortion. Last year, he signed one of the strictest abortion bans in the country that was promptly blocked by a federal court challenge.

According to the bill, certain medical providers must dispose of fetal remains from surgical abortions by cremation or burial and cover the costs of the disposal.

Republican Sen. Janice Bowling, the bill sponsor, said the measure is specifically meant to apply to abortions and abortion clinics, saying hospitals were exempted because of processes they have in place.