NEWS PROVIDED BY
Liberty Counsel 
April 4, 2019
 
ATLANTA, April 4, 2019 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Georgia House of Representatives recently passed 92-78 HB 481, known as the "Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act," that will prohibit abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detectable in the womb, which is as early as six weeks of pregnancy. Current Georgia law allows abortions up to 20 weeks.

Governor Brian Kemp specifically said he would sign a fetal heartbeat bill, calling the law "common sense," despite recent threats from Hollywood. "We stand up for the innocent and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves," Kemp tweeted March 29. "The legislature's bold action reaffirms our priorities and who we are as a state."

"We are not like New York or Virginia," said Senate Science and Technology Chairwoman Renee Unterman, who sponsored the bill in the Senate. "We will not throw away children who aren't perfect because all children are perfect in the eyes of God."

Gov. Kemp doesn't have any plans regarding timing of signing the bill but has until May 12. The law will become effective Jan. 1, 2020.

However, since several major movies and TV shows have been produced and filmed in Georgia, Hollywood writers and actors have threatened to no longer work in the state should the governor sign the bill. The Writers Guild of America wrote a letter to Gov. Kemp calling for a veto because this law "would discourage people in our industry from working in Georgia and could harm the state's vibrant film and television industry." A group of 50 Hollywood actors, led by activist Alyssa Milano, signed a petition declaring a boycott of Georgia's film industry unless Gov. Kemp vetoed the bill because she and others would not be able to work in Georgia "in good conscience."

Ashley Bratcher, lead actress in the pro-life movie "Unplanned" and a Georgia resident, responded in an open letter to Milano, addressing the celebrity "mother to mother, actress to actress."

Bratcher said, "In Georgia, we care just as much about being pro-life as being pro-film. We don't believe in putting a price tag on human life."

Georgia now joins Kentucky and Mississippi, which also recently passed six-week abortion bans and Republican lawmakers in several other states, including Tennessee, South Carolina, Ohio and Florida, are considering similar bills.

"I commend Georgia lawmakers for passing the 'Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act' and courageously standing up to Hollywood bullies who are more concerned about money than protecting an innocent unborn child from the most despicable form of torture and death," said Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver. "The beating heart of a priceless unborn child should awaken the conscience of our nation to the violence of abortion. I am grateful that Georgia is making positive steps toward making the womb a safe place again," said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.