Politics & Government
Abortion Services Still Available In GA While Heartbeat Bill On Hold
House Bill 481 is awaiting a ruling by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
GEORGIA — While Georgia’s ‘heartbeat bill’ remains on hold in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, abortion care is still accessible statewide.
House Bill 481, commonly known as the heartbeat law, outlaws abortion at the point a fetal heartbeat can be detected, usually at six weeks of pregnancy. The law makes exceptions in cases where the mother's life or health is in danger, or in cases of medical emergency.
The Supreme Court on Friday overturned the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, which gave women a federal right to have an abortion. In Georgia, the ruling means the LIFE Act passed in 2019 may soon go into law.
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit filed a new docket transaction surrounding the court case, WGCL-TV reported.
“The 11th Circuit will issue an opinion upholding the Georgia law, and as soon as that opinion gets filed officially, then abortion will be illegal in Georgia after 6 weeks,” Eric Segall, Georgia State Ashe Family Chair Professor of Law, told WGCL-TV.
Find out what's happening in Across Georgiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Lauren Frazier, the director of communications and marketing for Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates, told WTOC-TV that as of now, no abortion laws have changed in Georgia.
“It is very important for folks in Georgia to know that if you need to access abortion care in our state, you can still access abortion care in our state.”
Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday that the Supreme Court’s ruling to allow states to again outlaw abortion is a “historic victory for life.”
“I look forward to its impact on the legal proceeding surrounding Georgia’s LIFE Act and I hope our law will be fully implemented and ultimately protect countless unborn lives here in the peach State,” Kemp said in a statement.
“Working closely with the General Assembly, we have made significant strides to stand for life at all stages - from adoption and foster care reform, to combating human trafficking and passing the heartbeat bill - and we will continue that important work in the days and months to come.”
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