Georgia CommonsSB 200: Persons and Their Rights; that life is valued and protected from the moment of conception; provide
Last action February 20, 2025 · Senate Read and Referred
A Georgia Senate bill would declare in state law that life begins at conception and is entitled to the same legal rights and protections as any other person, while stating it does not restrict contraception.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This bill would add a new section to Georgia's code on persons and their rights (O.C.G.A. Title 1, Chapter 2). It would state that the State of Georgia recognizes life as valued and protected from the moment of conception, and that from that moment each life has the same rights and protections given to all persons under the U.S. Constitution, the Georgia Constitution, and Georgia law. The bill defines several terms, including conception, abortion, abortifacient, and contraception. It specifies that the new section should not be read as creating or recognizing a right to abortion, nor as banning any method of contraception. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not set out enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or an explicit effective date beyond standard enactment.
What the bill does
- Adds a new Code section declaring that life is valued and protected from the moment of conception under Georgia law.
- Defines conception as the combining of sperm and ovum resulting in a fertilized ovum or zygote.
- Defines abortion, abortifacient, and contraception, and states contraception does not include abortifacients.
- States the new section does not create or recognize a right to abortion.
- States the new section does not prohibit the use of any means of contraception.
- Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with this declaration.
Who it affects
The bill's language most directly touches how Georgia courts and lawmakers might interpret the legal status of a fetus or embryo, which could affect pregnant women, medical providers, and anyone involved in abortion or reproductive health law and litigation in Georgia.
Why it matters
By declaring that life and its legal protections begin at conception, this bill could shape how Georgia courts interpret other laws involving pregnancy, personhood, or fetal rights, even though the text itself says it does not create an abortion right or restrict contraception.
Key provisions
- Section 1 adds new Code Section 1-2-12 to Chapter 2 of Title 1, defining abortifacient, abortion, conception, and contraception.
- Subsection (b) states Georgia recognizes life as valued and protected from conception, with the same rights and protections as all persons under state and federal constitutions and Georgia law.
- Subsection (c) clarifies the section does not create or recognize a right to abortion and does not prohibit any method of contraception.
- Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the Act.
From the bill
“The State of Georgia recognizes that life is valued and protected from the moment of conception and that each life, from that moment, is accorded the same rights and protections guaranteed to all persons by the Constitution of the United States, the Georgia Constitution, and the laws of Georgia.”
“This Code section shall not be construed to create or recognize a right to abortion or to prohibit the use of any means of contraception.”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Colton Moore (R, SD-053)
Topics
- abortion law
- reproductive rights
- fetal personhood
- Georgia code definitions