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KEEPING THE FAITH ACTION ALERT March 6, 2006 THE WEEK IN REVIEW Last week was a wonderful week for life at the Georgia State Capitol in our State Senate. They passed the following bills: SB 77 “The Unborn Victims of Violence Act” This bill recognizes when a pregnant woman is attacked and killed and the unborn child is killed in the process, the perpetrator can be charged with two murders. ***** SB 429 “The Full Disclosure Ultrasound Act” This bill requires that an ultrasound be offered to a pregnant woman prior to receiving an abortion. It also stipulates if the abortion clinic does not have ultrasound equipment, the woman is to be referred to a hospital or other facility that has the equipment. ***** SB 123 “Conscience Clause for Pharmacists” This bill offers protection to pharmacists who refuse to dispense abortion-causing drugs without fear of loosing their job. These bills will now go to the House. We will keep you updated on their progress. ***** This bill passed out of committee: SB 596 “Stem-Cell Research Bill” This bill creates the “Georgia Commission for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative” and would set up cord blood banks in partnership with public colleges and/or universities. These banks would then receive stem cells from postnatal tissue – umbilical cords, placentas and amniotic fluid for research. It would also require doctors to inform women who are giving birth of the (voluntary) option to donate their postnatal tissue for this research. This bill also bans human cloning. As you can imagine, there was fierce debate between those who want to use human embryos for research and want few limits on cloning for scientific purposes –and those of us who believe that we should use adult stem cells and postnatal tissue – which are rich in stem cells – for research. The bill now goes to the Senate for a vote. OTHER BILLS THAT PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE LAST WEEK INCLUDE: SB 522 “Amy’s Law" This law provides that any juvenile convicted of a crime that, if committed by an adult would be the crime of murder, cannot be released prior to his/her 21st birthday. The court may grant a motion to release the juvenile early if: 1. A hearing is held prior to the motion’s expiration date; and 2. If reasonable notice of the factual basis of the motion is given; and 3. If all parties affected receive reasonable notice of the motion; and 4. The court deems it necessary to release the juvenile in order to accomplish the purposes of punishment, treatment, and rehabilitation. **** SB 396 “Right to Defend” The bill provides that a person who is attacked has no duty to retreat. They have the right to meet force with force, including deadly force. However, the person being attacked will not be immune from criminal prosecution if they use a weapon when they are not permitted by law to carry or possess such weapon. **** HB 1358 “Truth in Class Size Act” This Act was voted on and passed out of the House on Thursday. It amends the Quality Basic Education Act by placing a clear expectation for class size in schools. This is applicable for Kindergarten through 8th grade and for mathematics, social studies, science, and language arts classes:
Kindergarten (without a full-time aide)- 18 students max
Thank you for Keeping The Faith. |