Legislation has been filed in the State House that would change current abortion laws in the state.
Earlier this week, State Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) introduced Heartbeat legislation — a bill that would ban abortions after a heartbeat can be detected.
House Bill 481, or the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, says “early infants in the womb” deserve to be fully and legally recognized as “distinct human beings.” Among those signing on with Setzler are Representatives Jodi Lott (R-Evans), Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), Ginny Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), and Micah Gravley (R-Douglasville).
“House Bill 481 provides protection for the most vulnerable population in our state, the unborn,” said Rep. Bonner. “I pray my colleagues on both sides of the chamber join me in supporting this crucial legislation.”
HB 481 would prohibit an abortion operation once a fetal heartbeat has been determined by a doctor, which is typically decided at 6 weeks of gestational age. Current law allows abortions up to 20 weeks.
As proposed, the bill states that “Modern medical science, not available decades ago, demonstrates that early infants in the womb are a class of living, distinct human beings that, among other individual human traits, have their own distinct blood types, distinct organ systems, distinct central nervous systems, unique fingerprints, unique genetic characteristics, and approximately six weeks after fertilization, detectable human heartbeats; from earliest development, unborn children need only nourishment and a safe environment to grow to full adulthood…”
Cole Muzio, President of Family Policy Alliance of Georgia, issued the following statement praising the bill.
“Today’s introduction of heartbeat bills is the first step toward Georgia becoming a national leader in protecting life. We enthusiastically support the bill and are grateful for Governor Brian Kemp’s promise to value life and put these innocent Georgians first. Following the horrifying legislation and rhetoric in New York and Virginia, it’s all the more imperative for our state to stand for these children and with science, asserting that we will no longer allow for the beating hearts of the unborn to be stopped.”
Georgia Right to Life also praised the bill, stating that the organization is encouraged by legislation that has been introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives that could save thousands of innocent lives.
The bill has been assigned to the House Health and Human Services committee.
