Signed by Governor Nathan Deal

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective January 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Prohibits abortions after a physician has determined that a fetus has reached a “probable gestational age” of 20 weeks except in the following circumstances (Sec. 2):
• The pregnancy is “medically futile;”
• The abortion is necessary to avert the death or serious physical injury or impairment of the pregnant woman; or
• The abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the fetus.

• Prohibits physicians from using the mental or emotional condition of the pregnant woman as a basis for determining the necessity of an abortion (Secs. 2 & 5).

• Requires a physician to perform the abortion in a manner which will provide the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of death or injury to the pregnant woman than another available method (Sec. 2).

• Defines “probable gestational age” as the age of the fetus since fertilization as determined by “reasonable” medical judgment (Sec. 3).

• Defines “medically futile” as, in the judgment of the attending physician, a congenital or chromosomal anomaly that is incompatible with life (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective January 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Prohibits abortions after a physician has determined that a fetus has reached a “probable gestational age” of 20 weeks except in the following circumstances (Sec. 2):
• The pregnancy is “medically futile;”
• The abortion is necessary to avert the death or serious physical injury or impairment of the pregnant woman; or
• The abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the fetus.

• Prohibits physicians from using the mental or emotional condition of the pregnant woman as a basis for determining the necessity of an abortion (Secs. 2 & 5).

• Requires a physician to perform the abortion in a manner which will provide the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of death or injury to the pregnant woman than another available method (Sec. 2).

• Defines “probable gestational age” as the age of the fetus since fertilization as determined by “reasonable” medical judgment (Sec. 3).

• Defines “medically futile” as, in the judgment of the attending physician, a congenital or chromosomal anomaly that is incompatible with life (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective January 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Prohibits abortions after a physician has determined that a fetus has reached a “probable gestational age” of 20 weeks except in the following circumstances (Sec. 2):
  
  • The pregnancy is “medically futile;”
  • The abortion is necessary to avert the death or serious physical injury or impairment of the pregnant woman; or
  • The abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the fetus.

• Prohibits physicians from using the mental or emotional condition of the pregnant woman as a basis for determining whether or not a medical emergency exists (Secs. 2 & 4).

• Requires a physician to perform the abortion in a manner which will provide the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of death or injury to the pregnant woman than another available method (Sec. 2).

• Defines “probable gestational age” as the age of the fetus since fertilization as determined by “reasonable” medical judgment (Sec. 3).

• Defines “medically futile” as, in the judgment of the attending physician, a congenital or chromosomal anomaly that is incompatible with life (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective January 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the performance of an abortion if the probable gestational age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more (Sec. 2).

• Requires a physician to determine the probable gestational age of a fetus before performing an abortion (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes an abortion after 20 weeks in the following circumstances (Sec. 2):
• The abortion is necessary to avert the death of the pregnant woman;
• The abortion is necessary to avert serious physical injury or impairment of the pregnant woman; or
• The abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the fetus.

• Requires a physician to perform the abortion in a manner which will provide the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of death or injury to the pregnant woman than another available method (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits physicians from using the mental or emotional condition of the pregnant woman as a basis for determining whether or not a medical emergency exists (Secs. 2 & 4).

• Defines “medical emergency” as any condition which requires an immediate abortion in order to avert the death of a pregnant woman, or for which a delay will create a serious risk of substantial or irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman or death of the fetus (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text