Georgia House Panel Discusses Bill Criminalizing Abortion, Impacting IVF

Georgia’s House panel recently heard testimony on a proposed bill to criminalize abortion, even as many anti-abortion advocates oppose it due to its potential to undermine existing protections for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The bill would classify abortions after fertilization as homicide, which has raised concerns among supporters of IVF access. In contrast, Tennessee lawmakers introduced a bill aimed at protecting access to contraception and fertility treatments, reflecting a growing trend in state legislatures to safeguard reproductive rights. Nevada has also introduced legislation to expand IVF access and clarify that fertilized eggs are not considered persons under state law, addressing concerns raised by recent judicial decisions elsewhere. Meanwhile, Georgia passed a bill protecting IVF that was prompted by similar concerns from Alabama’s legal ruling that equated embryos with children. These legislative movements demonstrate ongoing debates surrounding reproductive rights and access to fertility treatments across the U.S.