Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signs law adding criminal penalties to abortion pill distribution via mail

[uppityperson]

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2022/05/06/tennessee-gov-bill-lee-signs-bill-criminalizing-abortion-pill-distribution-via-mail/9673406002/

Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill on Thursday increasing criminal penalties for anyone distributing abortion medication through telehealth or mail, amid the U.S. Supreme Court's contemplation of ending nationwide abortion rights.

The bill prohibits any distribution of abortion medication except when prescribing is done in person by a physician. The physician is not required to monitor a patient during or after taking the medication, except for a required follow-up appointment within two weeks.

The legislation, approved by lawmakers this year, also makes it a Class E felony punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 if that procedure is not followed.

A medicated abortion is an increasingly common method to terminate early-term pregnancies up to 10 weeks. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the delivery and telehealth dispensing of the medication amid access concerns during the pandemic......

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[In It to Win It]

2. How do they intend on enforcing this? Unless someone snitches, how would they know?

They can't randomly open people's mail.

[CrackityJones75]

6. Well if Roe is overturned how they are intending

Well if Roe is overturned how they are intending you have no right to privacy. Why do you think they have been trying to destroy the U.S. Mail?

[Irish_Dem]

12. If a crime is suspected of being committed via US mail, the mail can be opened.

[In It to Win It]

14. But they would have to suspect a crime in the first place

What would cause the suspicion? What would raise someone’s “spidey senses” on abortion pills going through the mail?

The state can’t search through mail in the custody of USPS so they can’t preemptively stop a particular piece of mail and search it while the mailman has it or through USPS distribution system. I would imagine state or local police would need a warrant to search your mailbox or look through mail that’s in your home. I’m just really curious at what would that “probable cause” look like?

[Irish_Dem]

17. There will have to be a new surveillance state to enforce the laws.

Some of the states are looking at draconian laws to prevent abortion, birth control, etc.

Such as travel bans, no mail pills.

Current surveillance procedures will not be adequate. Probable cause may be redefined.

We are moving to an autocratic form of government.
Our current laws about privacy and due process may be relics of a by gone era.

[SheltieLover]

3. TN is a disgrace!

[Liberal In Texas]

4. Jeezus we have to get rid of these repukes before they turn the

country into Russia.

[SheltieLover]

8. I'm in the Memphis region & have not seen one campaign ad jn print or on news websites

Lots of qpuke signs up in yards for candidates. Not one for any Dem.

Called & emailed Dem party to offer to volunteer a few yrs ago when I moved here. Never a response. 😓

These qpukes have to be voted out!

[Hortensis]

5. Conservative David Frum warns women could be kept from travel out of state.

Extreme sequela, but this kind of government control has been imposed in the past and could be much more doable in future under authoritarian government. (RW or LW, or hybrid both, btw).

Liberals are the antiauthoritarians.

Link to tweet

[Freddie]

13. I knew they'd be coming after birth control

[Ferrets are Cool]

7. Governing from a position of fear mongering

This is fucking disgusting.

[WhiteTara]

9. UPS Fedex DHL

also make deliveries. Stay off the mail.

[Irish_Dem]

10. Those sending the pills will go to prison.

There will be bounties and rewards to make sure people rat out those trying to help women.

[samnsara]

11. that state will go bankrupt trying to defend all the law suiuts

[spanone]

15. The Tennessee Taliban.

A cesspool of republicons.

[bucolic_frolic]

16. Does that include Viagra?

Because in some cases it caused the "problem" in the first place. Accessory to the fact.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. Hey, now, don't be "bullying" us good-ol'-boys. nt