Federal Judge Strikes Down Georgia Abortion Restrictions

A federal judge is permanently blocking Georgia’s 2019 “heartbeat" abortion law, finding that it violates the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ruled against the state Monday in a lawsuit filed by abortion providers and an advocacy group. 

Jones had temporarily blocked the law in October, and it never went into effect. The new ruling permanently enjoins the state from ever enforcing House Bill 481.

The measure sought to ban abortions once a “detectable human heartbeat” was present, with some limited exceptions. Cardiac activity can be detected by ultrasound as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. Jones found the law violated the 14th Amendment.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who has supported the restriction, immediately vowed an appeal. 

We will appeal the Court’s decision.

Georgia values life, and we will keep fighting for the rights of the unborn. https://t.co/pET5HC9Nnq— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) July 13, 2020