HB 428: Health; codify right to in vitro fertilization for individuals

Following public uncertainty about whether IVF is legal in Georgia, this bill adds a new Code section to Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the state's health laws. The General Assembly states in legislative findings that many Georgians have struggled to have children, that IVF is a safe and effective option, and that lawmakers have received questions from the public about its legal status. The new law defines in vitro fertilization as a fertility treatment in which eggs are removed from a woman's ovary, fertilized with sperm in a lab to create embryos, and then transferred to a uterus or preserved for later use. It then states plainly that nothing in Georgia law bars a person from obtaining this procedure in the state. The bill repeals any conflicting laws.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26) declaring that nothing in Georgia law prohibits or prevents an individual from obtaining in vitro fertilization in the state.
• Defines 'in vitro fertilization' in state law as removing eggs from a woman's ovary, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab, and transferring or preserving the resulting embryos.
• States legislative findings explaining that the bill responds to public uncertainty about the legal status of IVF in Georgia.
• Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with this new provision.

Individuals and couples in Georgia pursuing fertility treatment, fertility clinics and embryology laboratories that perform IVF, and physicians who provide the procedure. The bill also affects how Georgia courts and agencies would interpret existing law regarding IVF's legality.

By writing a clear statement into Georgia law, the bill aims to remove legal uncertainty that had left patients, doctors, and clinics unsure whether IVF could be affected by other state laws, such as those concerning embryos or reproduction, giving people seeking fertility treatment clearer legal footing in Georgia.

• Section 1 lists legislative findings, noting that many Georgians struggle to have children and that IVF is a safe, effective, and legal option.
• Section 2 creates new Code section 31-1-26, defining 'in vitro fertilization' and stating that no part of Georgia law prohibits or prevents obtaining it in the state.
• Section 3 repeals any existing laws that conflict with this new provision.

1. 2025-05-01Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-01Act 41
3. 2025-05-01House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2025-03-28House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2025-03-27Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senado)
7. 2025-03-27Senate Third Read (Senado)
8. 2025-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senado)

• Lehman Franklin (R, HD-160)Patrocinador principal
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)
• Sandy Donatucci (R, HD-105)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes27 de febrero de 2025

   172 a favor, 0 en contra (1 sin votar, 7 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #102

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado27 de marzo de 2025

   53 a favor, 1 en contra (0 sin votar, 2 ausentes)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #293

3. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes28 de marzo de 2025

   160 a favor, 0 en contra (6 sin votar, 14 ausentes)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #333

• in vitro fertilization
• fertility treatment
• reproductive health law
• Georgia health code