A federal judge has blocked Georgia’s new strict anti-abortion law from going into effect at the first of next year.
In a ruling handed down Tuesday, District Judge Steve C. Jones blocked House Bill 481 from taking effect Jan. 1 while it’s being challenged in the courts.
The law bans most abortions once a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat. The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia sued claiming the law is unconstitutional.
10th District State Representative and Republican floor leader Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville) says he’s disappointed but not surprised by the judge’s ruling.
“Despite the Judge’s decision, I stand firmly behind the actions we took to defend the rights of the unborn. I’m committed to protecting the sanctity of life and this ruling in no way changes that.”
The Georgia legislature passed Bill 481 during the legislative session earlier this year. Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on May 17, 2019.
Currently in Georgia, women are allowed to undergo abortion procedures up to their 20th week of pregnancy. Under the new law, that could be cut down to as early as six weeks when many women don’t yet know they’re pregnant.
Photo: Office of the Governor
