Georgia abortion providers file lawsuit challenging ‘heartbeat’ law
By Maya T. Prahbu | Atlanta Journal-Constitution | June 28, 2019
Opponents of Georgia’s new “heartbeat” law on Friday began what is expected to be a lengthy court battle when they filed a lawsuit challenging the measure — setting the case on a path that the anti-abortion measure’s supporters hope will lead to a reversal of Roe v. Wade.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia argues in the suit that the law violates a woman’s constitutional right to access abortion until about 24 weeks of pregnancy, as established in the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 ruling.
Gov. Brian Kemp in May signed into law House Bill 481, which outlaws most abortions once a doctor can detect fetal cardiac activity — usually at about six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant.
“HB 481 is blatantly unconstitutional under 50 years of Supreme Court precedent. Politicians have no right telling women or couples when to start or expand a family. Politicians should not be second-guessing women’s health care decisions.” —Sean Young, ACLU attorney