ATLANTA — Fulfilling a campaign commitment, Gov. Brian Kemp signed one of the nation’s strictest abortion laws in the nation into law Tuesday morning. Kemp signed the so-called Heartbeat Bill, which outlaws most abortions after about six weeks, which is when a fetal heartbeat is usually first detected.
The bill, which was sponsored by state Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), would allow abortions in cases where the mother’s life or health is in danger, or in cases of medical emergency. The bill also says that even an unborn child at any stage of development in the womb would be included in state population-based counts.
Georgia is the fourth state to pass such a measure, joining Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio. More than 250 bills restricting abortions have been filed in 41 states this year, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research and advocacy group.
Read more: ‘Heartbeat Bills’ Give Lawmakers Pause On Anti-Abortion Tactics
In anticipation of a new anti-abortion tilt on the Supreme Court bench, some states are moving to further restrict the procedure during the first trimester of pregnancy or to outlaw abortion entirely if Roe v. Wade ever falls. But the rush to regulate has exposed division among groups and lawmakers who consider themselves staunch abortion opponents.
“After the appointment of Justice [Brett] Kavanaugh, there really is just an environment in state legislatures to roll back abortion rights. And so we’re seeing these bans just fly through,” said Elizabeth Nash, who monitors state laws at Guttmacher.
But the speed of passage of some of these laws masks divisions about strategy and commitment to the cause within the anti-abortion movement.
House Bill 481 was by far the most controversial law passed by the most recent General Assembly session. The bill drew strong and vocal opposition from women’s rights groups and Democrats, as well as supporters.
The General Assembly approved the bill with less than two days remaining in the session, and only hours after dozens of actors and Hollywood celebrities threatened to boycott Georgia if the measure becomes law.
The American Civil Liberties Union is expected to file a complaint against the legislation, as have several pro-life groups.
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