Tennessee Rep. proposes controversial law change that could make women face death penalty for abortion

Republican state-Rep. Jody Barrett wants to change a law in Tennessee. The suggestion is to treat abortion as criminal homicide, he says

The Tennessee lawmaker has proposed a highly controversial change to the law that has sent shockwaves across the country. Republican state Rep. Jody Barrett wants to add language to a state bill that could make women who get abortions face homicide charges, as reported by WTVF.

In Tennessee, homicide can carry life in prison or even the death penalty. Still, Jody Barrett says his goal is not to punish women.

“I think that’s a talking point saying that you’re targeting mothers. We’re not targeting mothers,” Barrett said. “We’re targeting unborn children and trying to protect them and give them the protection under the law for you and me.”

The proposal would treat ending a pregnancy the same as killing another person under state law. Because Tennessee still has the death penalty, that means — in theory — someone could be put to death if convicted. But Barrett says that is unlikely.