TN SB0955The Medical Ethics Defense Act allows healthcare professionals in Tennessee to refuse to participate in medical procedures or treatments that conflict with their personal beliefs or conscience. This law aims to protect the rights of medical workers to express their ethical or moral objections without facing repercussions in their jobs.
TN SB0955 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Ferrell Haile (R), currently “Passed” since April 29, 2025.
We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 129 of them sponsored by Ferrell Haile.
Supporters of the Medical Ethics Defense Act argue that it safeguards the fundamental rights of healthcare providers to practice medicine in accordance with their personal ethics and beliefs. They believe this law promotes a more compassionate healthcare environment where practitioners can uphold their values without fear of discrimination.
Critics contend that the Medical Ethics Defense Act could lead to discrimination against patients, particularly those seeking care that some providers may refuse to offer based on personal beliefs. They argue that this law may undermine patient access to necessary medical services and could create a concerning precedent for healthcare practices.
Senator Ferrell Haile's occupation as a pharmacist directly aligns with the subject matter of SB0955, which pertains to health care costs, medical devices, and health insurance. This connection raises potential conflicts of interest, as the bill could influence the pharmaceutical industry and health products, sectors in which Haile is actively involved. Additionally, as the owner of Perkins Drugs & Gift Shoppe, he may stand to benefit financially from any legislative changes that affect the pricing or availability of medical products and services.
Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.
| Type | Description | Industry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Pharmacist | Pharmaceuticals/Health Products | TN Legislature bio |
| Business Owner | Owner of Perkins Drugs & Gift Shoppe | — | AI-researched |
| Board Member | Board Member of Sumner Regional Medical Center | — | TN Legislature bio |
| Employer | HAILE FARMS | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | GEORGIAN MANOR APTS. | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | STEVE FREEMAN FARMS | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | 2005 CAIRO RENTAL | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | GEORGIAN MANOR APTS. CO-OWNER from Jan 1992 to Apr 2026 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | SUMNER COUNTY ANTIDRUG COALITION ADVISOR from Jan 2014 to Dec 2014 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | WORLD CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING BOARD MEMBER from Jan 2006 to Jul 2014 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | STATION CAMP CHURCH ELDER from Jan 2010 to Jan 2017 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | STATION CAMP CHURCH BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN from Jan 2017 to Apr 2022 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | APCI BOARD MEMBER from Jan 1992 to Apr 2016 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FIRE DEPT. PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD from Jan 1991 to Apr 2022 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | CHRISTIAN TOWERS BOARD MEMBER from Jan 1992 to Jan 2014 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | GEORGIAN MANOR APTS.; | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | Leadership PAC: HAILEPAC | — | TN Ethics Commission |
Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.
About This Analysis
This summary was generated using AI from the bill's official text and metadata. Data sourced from LegiScan and the Tennessee General Assembly. Conflict analysis examines the sponsor's personal financial interests for potential overlaps with the bill's subject matter.
What does TN SB0955 do?
The Medical Ethics Defense Act allows healthcare professionals in Tennessee to refuse to participate in medical procedures or treatments that conflict with their personal beliefs or conscience. This law aims to protect the rights of medical workers to express their ethical or moral objections without facing repercussions in their jobs.
What is the status of TN SB0955?
TN SB0955 is currently “Passed” in the Tennessee legislature.
Who sponsored TN SB0955?
Ferrell Haile (R) sponsored TN SB0955.
