Ga. lawmakers want to protect right to in-vitro fertilization
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns announced another priority bill for the 2025 legislative session on Wednesday.
House Bill 428 would protect access to in-vitro fertilization. It is sponsored by state Rep. Lehman Franklin.
Franklin had his own story about how IVF had impacted his life. After 10 years and multiple rounds of IVF and hormone therapy, he and his wife are expecting a baby girl in the spring.
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“I am honored to put forth this legislation that will preserve access to IVF, which has provided countless Georgia families with the blessing of a child — including my own,” said Franklin. “My wife and I are overjoyed to be welcoming our first daughter later this year thanks to IVF. I want to ensure every family who faces the challenge of infertility has an opportunity to experience the miracle that IVF can provide.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19% of women face infertility and more than 2,300 children were born in Georgia via IVF in 2021.
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“Millions of Americans and Georgians are faced with infertility when they begin the journey to start or grow their families,” Burns said. “We know that IVF has allowed thousands of Georgians to achieve the dream of parenthood, and this legislation ensures that access to this life-changing medical assistance will never be a question in our state.”
Democrats pushed the measure last year. The language of their bill was very different and sought to redefine an embryo. This bill states simply that “individuals have the right to obtain in-vitro fertilization.”
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Democrats and Republicans have signed onto Franklin’s bill. He said after talking to Republicans and Democrats, everyone seems to be on board.
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