Abortion rights activists are breathing a little easier after a Federal District Judge ruled to temporarily stop Georgia’s controversial ‘Heartbeat bill’ (H.B 481) from going into effect on Jan.1.
Judge Steve C. Jones made his ruling after the ACLU sued that the abortion bill was on constitutional and that the “personhood” aspects of the law were too “vague” and could put abortion provider in violation of the law.
Judge Jones agreed,
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ”The new law would have outlawed abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy before many women know they are pregnant.
Jones said the U.S. Supreme Court has “repeatedly and unequivocally” upheld Roe v. Wade, saying a state may not ban abortion before a fetus is viable — established in Roe as between 24 and 26 weeks of pregnancy.”
“What is clearly defined, however, is that under no circumstances whatsoever may a state prohibit or ban abortions at any point prior to viability, no matter what interests the state asserts to support it,” Jones wrote. “By banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, HB 481 prohibits women from making the ultimate decision to terminate her pregnancy at a point before viability.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who supports the law, is holding his ground.
“Despite today’s outcome, we remain confident in our position,” Kemp spokeswoman Candice Broce said. “We will continue to fight for the unborn and work to ensure that all Georgians have the opportunity to live, grow and prosper.”
