Politics
Politics

Committee advances ‘fetal pain' abortion bill in Georgia

By Christopher Quinn
Feb 28, 2012

A judiciary committee in the state House approved a bill Monday that would cut the amount of time women have to get elective abortions from 26 weeks to 20 weeks.

House Bill 954, sponsored by Rep. Doug McKillip, R-Athens, is commonly referred to as a "fetal pain" bill. The legislation, similar to laws that five other states have passed, says that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, therefore the state has an interest in protecting it.

McKillip said his bill has been well vetted, with more than six hours of testimony in three hearings.

About the Author

Christopher Quinn is a writer and editor who has worked for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1999. He writes stories on Veterans Affairs, business including high-tech growth in metro Atlanta, Georgia's $72 billion farm economy, and he oversees assigning and editing news obituaries.

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