Georgia's 'Heartbeat Bill' Clears Another Hurdle, Heads To Senate

ATLANTA -- A Senate panel approved this year's most controversial legislative measure on Monday, meaning the anti-abortion "heartbeat bill" could be heard by the full Senate sometime this week. House Bill 481, called the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, would give Georgia one of the nation's strictest abortion laws, and it has the full support of Gov. Brian Kemp. It would allow abortions only in cases where the mother's life or health is in danger, or in cases of medical emergency. The bill also says that even an unborn child at any stage of development in the womb would be included in state population-based counts.

The bill has drawn strong and vocal opposition from women's rights groups and Democrats, among others. On Friday, more than 200 pro-choice activists from across the state flooded the halls of the capitol in protest.

The bill's primary sponsor is state Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth). Georgia is the 12th state to introduce such a bill this year, according to the Family Policy Alliance of Georgia.

Full coverage from Patch:

• Anti-Abortion 'Heartbeat' Bill Introduced By 2 Cobb Legislators
• Oconee Legislators Support Anti-Abortion Bill
• Decatur Democrat Escorted From Podium In Abortion Debate

"Georgia is a state that values life," Kemp recently said. "We shield the vulnerable and shelter the innocent. This is a powerful moment in Georgia. It’s bigger than politics and partisanship. Let’s champion life today and ensure that all Georgians - including the unborn - have the chance to live, grow, and prosper."

Read House Bill 481 here.

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