According to reports, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp is expected to sign the anti-abortion “heartbeat” bill into law Tuesday at the State Capitol. It is expected to launch a protracted battle in the courts between Republicans and opposition groups that deem the bill inhumane.
House Bill 481 is formally titled the Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act, and it relates to a physician’s obligation in the performance of abortions; to amend the current law that says abortions can be performed after 20 weeks, reducing the time for legal abortions in Georgia to six weeks, making it one of the toughest abortion laws in the United States.
“No abortion is authorized or shall be performed if the unborn child has been determined to have a human heartbeat,” according to the bill, unless the pregnancy risks the life or poses substantial and irreversible physical harm to the pregnant woman.
During his campaign, Kemp promised to sign the toughest abortion bill in the United States, and he signaled he planned to sign this legislation once it passed the General Assembly.
“I support a ‘Heartbeat Bill’ that outlaws abortions after six weeks,” wrote Kemp on his campaign website. “In fact, I am the only candidate for governor to signal support for the bill that was just passed in Iowa. The left calls it radical but it’s just common sense to me. As the father of three, I remember listening to the heartbeats of my girls. We were knitted together in our mother’s womb and protecting His craftsmanship at six weeks is certainly worth the inevitable courtroom battle.
Kemp continues, “Finally, as we advance pro-life legislation, battle in the courtroom, and wait on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, our state must double down on the application of pro-life laws that currently exist. Through the Department of Community Health, we can ensure that the letter – and spirit – of the law is being enforced at clinics across the state. As governor, I will make enforcement a priority.”
Members of Georgia’s film industry and the American Civil Liberties Union have stated they will challenge the law.
.@brielarson, @PattyArquette, @1SpencerGarrett, @amysmart26, @MelissaJPeltier @GraceParra360, @halfadams, @Slack2thefuture, @mrrickywhittle, @eorlins & #NataliePortman are also telling @BrianKempGA, that #HB481IsBadForBusiness. There are now over 100 signers. pic.twitter.com/tsGTzX6xLf
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 1, 2019
