summary
Introduced
02/24/2025
02/24/2025
In Committee
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, is a comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting and establishing fundamental reproductive rights in Georgia. The bill recognizes every individual's right to reproductive autonomy, including the ability to choose to carry a pregnancy to term or have an abortion, and to choose or refuse contraception or sterilization. Key provisions include removing previous legal restrictions on abortion, repealing criminal abortion statutes, and establishing protections for individuals seeking reproductive healthcare. The bill defines abortion as the use of medical interventions to terminate a pregnancy and explicitly states that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under state law. It prohibits state or local law enforcement from prosecuting individuals for obtaining or performing abortions in accordance with the law, and prevents discrimination in reproductive healthcare based on factors like sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or other characteristics. The legislation also ensures confidentiality of reproductive healthcare information, allows healthcare professionals to provide abortions within their professional scope, and permits Medicaid to cover abortion services. Additionally, the bill allows individuals who believe their reproductive rights have been violated to seek injunctive relief and potentially recover legal costs. The act represents a significant shift in Georgia's approach to reproductive healthcare, emphasizing personal autonomy and removing previous legal barriers to abortion access.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (6)
Lisa Campbell (D)*,
Stacey Evans (D)*,
Dar'shun Kendrick (D)*,
Tanya Miller (D)*,
Shea Roberts (D)*,
Kim Schofield (D)*,
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 02/27/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70719 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/233589 |
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