HB 872: Health; right to contraception for individuals; provide

Currently, Code Section 31-1-20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated is 'reserved,' meaning it holds no substantive text. This bill would fill that empty section with new language establishing a right to contraception in Georgia law. The bill defines 'conception' as the process of combining sperm and egg to form a fertilized egg, and defines 'contraception' as any method of preventing pregnancy before that point occurs. It then states that females have the right to use any means of contraception. The bill also repeals any existing state laws that conflict with this new provision, though it does not specify what, if any, current laws would be affected.

• Fills in a previously empty (reserved) section of Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 31-1-20, with new substantive text about contraception.
• Defines 'conception' as the combining of sperm and egg into a fertilized egg or zygote.
• Defines 'contraception' as any method that stops a pregnancy from developing before conception occurs.
• States directly that females have the right to use any method of contraception.
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new right, without naming specific laws.

The bill directly affects females in Georgia by stating their right to use contraception, and it could affect any existing state law or regulation that conflicts with that right, since those conflicting provisions would be repealed.

By writing a contraception right directly into Georgia's health code, the bill would give explicit legal backing to access to birth control methods in the state. It could also affect the status of any other Georgia law found to conflict with this right.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 31-1-20, previously reserved with no content, to add subsections (a) and (b).
• Subsection (a)(1) defines 'conception' as combining sperm and egg to form a fertilized ovum or zygote.
• Subsection (a)(2) defines 'contraception' as any method inhibiting pregnancy development before conception.
• Subsection (b) states that females have the right to use any means of contraception.
• Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws that conflict with the Act, without identifying which laws those might be.

1. 2025-03-31House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2025-03-28House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2025-03-27House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)Patrocinador principal
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)
• Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)

• contraception rights
• reproductive health
• women's health
• Georgia health law