ATL Standard

Georgia lawmakers have advanced legislation that would prohibit the distribution of abortion pills via mail, forcing interested parties to do so through an in-person exam.

Rep. Park Cannon said in a press conference that the measure was out of step with what voters in the state desire.

"We need to continue to reframe this issue," Cannon said. "Access to abortion in Georgia is supported by 70% of voters and the elected officials are playing games with health care during a pandemic."

Senate Bill 351 goes by the moniker the Women's Health and Safety Act, which was initiated by Republican Sen. Bruce Thompson, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. The law now awaits approval from the Senate Rules Committee.

Thompson shared a Facebook post from the Georgia Life Alliance, which applauded his efforts to stand up for their anti-abortion views.

"Today, we hosted a press conference with Senator Bruce Thompson and our state/national partners to stand up for women’s health and safety against the reckless abortion industry," the Georgia Life Alliance said in the post. "Now we need you to stand with us TOMORROW morning at 10am during the Senate Health & Human Services Committee hearing for our flagship pro-life legislation — SB456. Join us at Capitol room 450 and show Planned Parenthood that Georgia values life!"

The proposed law would mandate that doctors gather an informed consent authorization form from any woman who desires an abortion, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. The form would include such information as risks involved in abortion, the age of the unborn child, and what features the child has developed thus far, such as organs and body parts.