Positive Bills That Have Passed
- HB 582 (Georgia Victims Act): This law allows defendants to present evidence of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse committed by an abuser to support a justification defense in cases where a victim is on trial for assaulting their abuser.
Harmful Bills Sent to the Governor
These bills have been passed by the legislature and are now awaiting the Governor’s signature. If the Governor disagrees with any part of these bills, they can be sent back to the legislature for revision and re-submission. As of now, none of these bills have been signed into law.
- SB 1: Prohibits trans girls from participating in girls’ sports teams in schools.
- HB 89: Requires healthcare providers, facilities, and pharmacies to submit psychiatric or other clinical records to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
- SB 185: Prohibits the use of state funds for treatments for incarcerated individuals, including gender-affirming care, hormone therapy etc.
Harmful Bills That Have Passed
While these bills have passed through both the Senate and the House, they have not yet reached the Governor for signing this session. It’s likely that they will be presented for the Governor’s approval in the next session.
- SB 36 (RFRA): This bill, also known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), could create a “license to discriminate” on the basis of religion. Though it aims to protect minority faiths, it may enable discrimination against people of faith, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and other marginalized groups.
Harmful Bills That Have Been Put to Sleep
These bills did not make it out of one side of the legislature and will be carried over to the next session without needing to be reintroduced.
- HB 122: A total abortion ban.
- SB 30: A bill that seeks to prevent the provision of puberty blockers to minors.
Fertility Justice Now
SPARK, in partnership with other organizations, is thrilled to have launched two new pieces of legislation under our Fertility Justice Now campaign. These bills were introduced on February 27th, and although they are currently on hold until the second year of the session, SPARK is eager to continue engaging our community on the pressing issues surrounding fertility care.
- HB 588: This bill mandates coverage for at least three complete egg retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers from those retrievals (any retrievals performed before the bill takes effect), as well as at least three years of storage, all covered by private insurance.
- HB 589: Similar to HB 588, but with coverage under Medicaid, including at least three egg retrievals, unlimited embryo transfers, and three years of storage.
Fake Clinics Suck
On February 19th, SPARK, along with the Amplify Collaborative, launched the Fake Clinics Suck campaign. Through a press conference with community members, storytellers, and legislative sponsors, we introduced these important bills aimed at combating the harmful effects of fake pregnancy clinics and the state funding they receive. These bills are currently on hold, but we look forward to continuing advocacy once the session resumes.
- HB 488 & SB 196: The Pregnancy Center Fraud Prevention Act—This bill prohibits limited-service pregnancy centers from engaging in false or misleading advertising about the products or services they provide.
- HB 489 & SB 197: The End Public Funding Misinformation Act—This bill seeks to end state funding for fake clinics through the Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program.
- HR 274/SR 207: The Fund Healthy Pregnancy and Parenting Resolution—This resolution urges the redirection of state funds from anti-abortion centers (AACs) to the Georgia Home Visiting Program, which provides essential services during pregnancy and early childhood to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant and maternal mortality.