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GA SB246

GA SB246
"Reproductive Freedom Act"; enact


summary

Introduced
02/24/2025
In Committee
02/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to persons and their rights, so as to provide that natural persons do not include an unborn child and shall not be included in certain population based determinations; to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to provide for exceptions to the notice requirement of a pending abortion to the parent or guardian of an unemancipated minor by a physician or their qualified agent under the "Parental Notification Act"; to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public health and morals, so as to repeal provisions relating to criminal abortion; to amend Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to domestic relations, so as to remove references to abortion; to amend Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions of education, so as to repeal a reference to abortion; to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to repeal the "Woman's Right to Know Act" and provisions relating to a physician's obligation in performance of abortions; to repeal the power of the Department of Public Health to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations for the licensing of medical facilities where abortion procedures are to be performed; to provide for fundamental reproductive health rights; to prohibit certain state actions; to provide for injunctive relief and damages; to enact the "Reproductive Freedom Act"; to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to provide for the repeal of the prohibition on the coverage of certain abortions through certain qualified health plans; to amend Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to physicians, assistants, and others, so as to repeal a provision relating to criminal abortion; to repeal a provision relating to delegation of certain medical acts to advance practice nurses; to repeal a provision relating to abortions not to be performed by physician assistants; to amend Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to employees' insurance and benefits plans, so as to remove the prohibition on coverage of abortions; to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to provide that an unborn child with a detectable human heartbeat is not a dependent minor for income tax purposes; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to provide for abortion care services under Medicaid; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Reproductive Freedom Act," comprehensively reforms Georgia's laws related to reproductive healthcare and abortion rights. The bill establishes a fundamental right for individuals to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions, including the choice to carry a pregnancy to term or obtain an abortion, and to choose or refuse contraception or sterilization. It removes previous legal restrictions on abortion, repeals criminal penalties related to abortion, and prevents state or local interference with an individual's reproductive autonomy. Key provisions include protecting healthcare professionals' ability to provide abortions within their professional scope, prohibiting state or local law enforcement from prosecuting individuals for obtaining or performing abortions, and ensuring confidentiality of reproductive healthcare information. The bill also adds protections against discrimination in reproductive healthcare access and allows individuals to sue for injunctive relief if their reproductive rights are violated. Additionally, the bill mandates Medicaid coverage for abortion services and removes previous legal references that defined unborn children as persons or dependents. The legislation aims to protect reproductive healthcare as a fundamental personal right, free from governmental interference or potential criminal prosecution.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (23)

Last Action

Senate Read and Referred (on 02/26/2025)

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