Georgia House and Senate Democrats on Tuesday introduced identical bills to the Georgia General Assembly that would repeal the state’s “Heartbeat law” and protect reproductive freedom under state law.
Georgia’s controversial abortion law prohibits most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected — usually around six weeks into a pregnancy, and before many realize they are pregnant. Before the U.S. Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Georgia allowed abortions through the 22nd week of pregnancy.
On Sunday, we should have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Roe versus Wade decision. Instead, we have to be out here fighting the same fights that our mothers and grandmothers have fought for, to control the right to their own bodies.Se. Nabilah Islam
Two days after what would have been Roe’s 50th anniversary, abortion rights advocates, lawmakers, and healthcare providers announced in a press conference the bicameral Reproductive Freedom Act.
District 7 Senator Nabilah Islam said the right to abortion is fundamental.
"On Sunday, we should have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Roe versus Wade decision. Instead, we have to be out here fighting the same fights that our mothers and grandmothers have fought for, to control the right to their own bodies," Islam said.
If passed, the two bills, Senate Bill 15 and House Bill 75, would change the status of personhood from conception to the moment of birth, permit unemancipated minors to get an abortion without parental consent if notification may lead to their physical or emotional harm, and classifies abortion as a fundamental right.
While Governor Kemp said in a statement that his administration is not currently planning to increase abortion restrictions, some anti-abortion activists like Georgia Right to Life are working on legislation to ban all abortions. However, it seems unlikely that these activists have public opinion on their side.
In an Atlanta-Journal Constitution poll completed earlier this month, 49% of polled Georgia voters said the state should increase abortion access. Around 24% said abortion access should stay at its current level, and 21% said abortion access should be further regulated.