Politics & Government

Anti-Abortion Bill Advances in Georgia Senate

The measure, which has drawn the opposition of a Suwanee women's health group, now is before the full Senate.

Legislation that would tighten medical exemptions for terminating a pregnancy in Georgia passed a state Senate committee Monday.

The so-called "fetal pain" bill passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a voice vote, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The law would require any abortion performed after 20 weeks of pregnancy be done in a way to bring the fetus out alive. The measure says that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, therefore the state has an interest in protecting it.

Also, HB 954 would prescribe criminal penalties of up to 10 years in prison for doctors who do not comply with the legislation.

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The committee is chaired by Sen. Renee Unterman, whose district includes Suwanee. This bill has faced strong opposition from women's health advocates and doctor's groups. One of the opponents, the Suwanee-based Georgia Obstetrical & Gynecological Society,.

Dr. Anne Patterson, a Georgia OB/Gyn chairman, said medical experts widely believe fetuses do not fully develop connections related to pain until about 28 weeks.

Find out what's happening in Suwaneewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

L. Lynn Hogue, an emeritus law professor at Georgia State University, said the U.S. Supreme Court has found repeatedly that a fetus' "viability means the capability of meaningful life outside the mother's womb." The bill, he said, flies in the face of that definition, according to the AJC.

Another abortion-related bill, SB 438, is now active in the Georgia House after passing the Senate. This bill would prohibit state employee health insurance plans from offering coverage for abortion services.

Compiled by Steve Burns.


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