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The bill would have the state pay for everything from a pregnant person\u2019s medical expenses to the child\u2019s health insurance and secondary education.<\/p>\n
ATLANTA \u2014 A Georgia lawmaker wants to hold the state financially responsible for unwanted pregnancies that can’t be terminated under the Georgia’s six-week abortion ban.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
The Georgia Pro-Birth Accountability Act<\/a> would have the state pay for everything from a pregnant person\u2019s medical expenses to the child\u2019s health insurance and secondary education.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled state House and Senate, but Rep. Dar\u2019shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) told 11Alive that the bill starts an important conversation about the ban and its effects. Kendrick introduced the bill last week.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cThis is an actual, serious bill, and I don\u2019t understand why every conservative hasn\u2019t ran to sign it,\u201d said Kendrick. \u201cIf you claim to be pro-life and pro-family, I\u2019m giving you exactly what you are asking for, which is to support our families (and) support our unborn children.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n Georgia\u2019s abortion law<\/a> effectively bans the procedure once fetal cardiac activity is detected \u2014 usually about six weeks into the pregnancy. There are some exceptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Abortions can be performed up to 20 weeks if the pregnancy is the result of rape and incest. The procedure can also be performed if a physician determines that a medical emergency exists or that the pregnancy is \u201cmedically futile.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Under Kendrick\u2019s proposed legislation, \u201cpregnant women\u201d would be compensated for a variety of costs associated with pregnancy and just after the birth, including \u201creasonable living, legal, medical, psychological and psychiatric expenses.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The state would be responsible for any related expenses if death or disability results from the pregnancy. The bill also requires compensation for loss of future earnings if the woman dies.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The mother would be eligible for any child-related federal or state income tax credits as well as public assistance programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). A specially-trained, state-provided nurse would make home visits from early pregnancy through the child’s second birthday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Beyond early childhood, the state would cover health, dental and vision insurance for the child until they reach the age of 18. The state would also be responsible for child support payments to an \u201cunmarried woman\u201d if the father is unknown or unable to support.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In addition, the state would fund a savings trust to support the child\u2019s higher education costs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n To receive compensation, the woman would be required to file an affidavit with the Georgia Department of Human Services. The state human services department would then assign a case manager to assist the woman, and the Georgia legislature would establish a new fund to support the department\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Kendrick told 11Alive that she adapted the legislation from a similar proposal<\/a> by South Carolina State Senator Mia McLeod, a Democrat. Unlike McLeod\u2019s bill, a lawsuit would not have to be filed to receive compensation in cases of death and miscarriage in Georgia.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n This isn\u2019t the first time Kendrick\u2019s taken aim at the state\u2019s abortion law.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWhat the bill would do<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n