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How would you grade Georgia’s proposed abortion law? Take our survey.

Gina Lucas holds a sign in front of 833 Walnut St. in Macon.
Gina Lucas holds a sign in front of 833 Walnut St. in Macon. jvorhees@macon.com

Under Georgia’s LIFE (Living Infants Fairness and Equality) Act, abortions are effectively banned once an embryo’s cardiac activity is detected, typically at six weeks. If the law passes, some Georgia district attorneys say they will not prosecute cases under the ban if it takes effect.

The law includes exceptions for rape and incest if the pregnancy is fewer than 20 weeks along and a police report has been filed. An abortion can also be performed if a physician determines that a medical emergency exists or the pregnancy is “medically futile.”

Georgia’s abortion law also includes personhood language that gives embryos legal status.

Kemp signed the bill into law in 2019. But the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia ruled the law was unconstitutional in 2020, blocking it from taking effect.

The state appealed the ruling in 2021 to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court postponed its decision until the Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Abortion Clinic over Mississippi’s abortion ban.

Protesters opposed to a proposed abortion bill fill the hallway in the Capitol in Atlanta.
Protesters opposed to a proposed abortion bill fill the hallway in the Capitol in Atlanta. Bob Andres AP

The SCOTUS decision has polarized the nation, and we want to hear from you. How do you feel about Georgia’s proposed abortion laws? Take our short survey below.

Mona Moore
Sun Herald
Mona Moore was a Service Journalism Desk Editor for the Sun Herald in Mississippi; Mahoning Matters in Ohio; and the Ledger-Enquirer and Telegraph in Georgia. Originally from West Covina, California, she holds a bachelor’s and master’s in corporate and public communication from the University of South Alabama. Mona’s writing and photography have been recognized by press associations in Mississippi, North Carolina and Florida.
Nick Wooten
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Nick Wooten is the Accountability/Investigative reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer where he is responsible for covering several topics, including Georgia politics. His work may also appear in the Macon Telegraph. Nick was given the Georgia Press Association’s 2021 Emerging Journalist award for his coverage of elections, COVID-19 and Columbus’ LGBTQ+ community. Before joining McClatchy, he worked for The (Shreveport La.) Times covering city government and investigations. He is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
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