In a major victory for life, the Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act – heartbeat protections signed into law in 2019 by Governor Brian Kemp. The law has been in effect during litigation.
The law also counts babies in the womb as part of Georgia’s population. Parents can claim them as dependents on state income taxes, and mothers can receive child support from the beginning of pregnancy. As of 2019, data show Georgia’s pregnancy centers also provided $8 million in services and aid to more than 48,000 women, men, youth and families.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America celebrated in a statement:
“Today’s Georgia Supreme Court decision ensures that tens of thousands of children with beating hearts will continue to be protected from brutal abortions. It is the latest vindication of the will of Georgians, who have compassion for both babies and mothers, along with lawmakers like Governor Kemp and many others who heard them and acted,” said SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Twenty-five states – half the country – have pro-life protections in their law in the new Dobbs era. The majority of these states protect unborn children at least when their heartbeat can be detected, a point when science shows they have more than a 90% chance of surviving to birth.
“We congratulate Governor Kemp, Attorney General Carr, all our local allies, and the people of Georgia on a long and well-fought battle. Life is winning in hearts and minds nationwide. When you lead and stand boldly for life, Americans will stand with you.”
During the 2022 election cycle, Kemp’s Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams denied that unborn children have heartbeats by six weeks. Kemp won re-election by 7.5 percentage points.
