Georgia Adopts New Abortion Legislation
On Tuesday, Georgia’s governor signed into law a bill requiring women who seek an abortion to wait 24 hours before going through with the procedure. Pro-life groups applauded the measure.
On Tuesday, Georgia’s governor signed into law a bill requiring women who seek an abortion to wait 24 hours before going through with the procedure. Pro-life groups applauded the measure.
The new law requires abortion clinics to inform women who seek an abortion about the medical risks associated with abortion, the potential risks of carrying a child to term, the age of the fetus, the potential pain experienced by the fetus during an abortion, and alternative options to abortion. After receiving this information, women must wait 24 hours before undergoing abortion procedures.
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue called the bill “a commonsense approach to a sensitive issue.”
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“This legislation affirms that women have the right to be made aware of the risks of abortions as well as the risk of carrying a child to term,” said Perdue at the bill signing ceremony. “Women also have the right to learn about all the other options available to them in the event of an unwanted pregnancy."
The bill also tightens parental notification laws in the state. Currently, other adults may give consent for an abortion performed on a minor. The new law requires the parents or legal guardians to be notified if a minor seeks an abortion.
Perdue commented that the parental notification law will make sure that minors are “not alone in having to make this decision.”
Perdue echoed the sentiments of pro-life groups, saying that he hopes the new law will help reduce abortions in Georgia. Abortion rights groups, however, said the law was not needed and might restrict access to proper health care services for women.
The bill had been proposed many times before, but until now had failed to pass the Democratic-controlled legislature. The bill was approved in March when Republicans gained the majority. The new law took effect immediately.
