'Heartbeat Bill' Makes GA 'Inhospitable,' LA & NY Writers Say

ATLANTA — With less than a week left before the General Assembly adjourns, the legislature has not convened a final vote on this session's most controversial bill, Georgia's so-called "Heartbeat Bill." The bill, sponsored by Acworth Republican lawmaker Ed Setzler, would ban abortions once a heartbeat has been detected. Georgia is the 12th state to introduce such a bill this year, according to the Family Policy Alliance of Georgia.

On Tuesday, the Writers Guilds of America East and West issued a statement opposing the bill, which they called "draconian" and said would make Georgia "inhospitable" for the entertainment, TV and motion picture industry.

"HB 481 is a draconian anti-choice measure that would in essence constitute a state-wide ban on abortion since a fetal heartbeat is usually detectable approximately six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women are aware they are pregnant or have had reasonable time to consider their options," the guild said. "This law would make Georgia an inhospitable place for those in the film and television industry to work, including our members. If the Georgia Legislature and Gov. Kemp make HB 481 law, it is entirely possible that many of those in our industry will either want to leave the state or decide not to bring productions there. Such is the potential cost of a blatant attack on every woman’s right to control her own body."

The entertainment industry contributes billions of dollars to Georgia's economy. Tax-credits and other incentives created under former Gov. Nathan Deal made Georgia one of the largest entertainment industry hubs in the world.

Full coverage from Patch:

• 'Heartbeat Bill' Vote Could Come As Soon As Monday In Georgia
  
• Georgia's 'Heartbeat Bill' Clears Another Hurdle, Heads To Senate
• Anti-Abortion 'Heartbeat' Bill Introduced By 2 Cobb Legislators
• Oconee Legislators Support Anti-Abortion Bill
• Decatur Democrat Escorted From Podium In Abortion Debate

The measure has the full support of Deal's successor. "Georgia is a state that values life," Kemp has said in the past, referring to the bill. "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."

The bill has been approved by both the House and Senate, and now awaits a final vote on its revised version in the House.