The Georgia state legislature on Friday passed a “heartbeat bill” on Friday, banning abortions after a heartbeat is detected.
The bill, which is officially called the Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act of 2019, passed the Republican-held state House 92 to 78, largely along party lines. The proposal, now on the governor’s desk, bans abortions after six weeks, cutting the 20-week window offered by current Georgia law. The legislation is part of a larger national movement to pass heartbeat-focused bills, with similar legislation proposed in states such as Ohio, Florida, and Texas.
In a statement after the legislature passed the bill, Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican elected in 2018, said that he will sign the bill in the coming days.
“Georgia values life. We stand up for the innocent and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Kemp said. “The legislature’s bold action reaffirms our priorities and who we are as a state. I thank these lawmakers for their leadership and applaud their undeniable courage.”
The bill has already received pushback from critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union.
“Governor Kemp, if you sign this abortion ban into law, we will sue and see you in court to fight this blatant attack on the rights and dignity of Georgia women and families,” the ACLU said in a statement Friday after the bill’s passage.
