If HB 481 becomes a law, it will ban abortions for expectant mothers in their sixth week of pregnancy, a benchmark at which most women don't even realize they are pregnant.
GOOD reported that Georgia's "heartbeat bill" moved through the Senate after Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan appointed Senator William Ligon (R-Brunswick) to the committee to ensure its passage.
The heartbeat bill – sponsored by Acworth Republican state Rep. Ed Setzler – states that the detection of an embryo's heartbeat should have jurisdiction over a fetus's "viability outside of the womb."
Many spoke out against the bill, but no response was more unforgiving than Georgia's Democratic Representative Dar'shun Kendrick.
She gave a bold countermeasure that has conservative lawmakers turning their knees inward.
Kendrick's bulleted list of objectives included banning vasectomies in Georgia and requiring husbands to get consent from their wives for Viagra prescriptions.
After 'heartbeat abortion bill' passes, Georgia's Dar'shun Kendrick proposes 'testicular bill of rights' - The Wash… https://t.co/MIls4uVVcY— Alcide (@Alcide) 1553017323.0
Kendrick also suggested that having sex without a condom should be considered as "aggravated assault."
The 36-year-old Democrat told Rolling Stone that her intention was to raise awareness on fair legislation.
"If you're going to legislate our bodies, then we have every right to propose legislation to regulate yours."
While the some aspects of Kendrick's testicular bill were reactionary to make a point, she offered other viable proposals that the state should seriously consider.
Ggggooooodddd morning! Introducing my "testicular bill of rights" legislative package. You want some regulation of… https://t.co/wfZ2kg8VtB— Dar'shun Kendrick (@Dar'shun Kendrick) 1552310015.0
Twitter sided with Kendrick's countermeasure.
@DarshunKendrick @bluestein @GAWINList @NARALGA @PPSE_Advocates @wabenews "But, But that's ridiculous!" say the men… https://t.co/XhW9I6wqua— Jason Holland (@Jason Holland) 1552310556.0
@DarshunKendrick @bluestein @GAWINList @NARALGA @PPSE_Advocates @wabenews I've been wanting someone to do this for… https://t.co/BnzE1JGd4N— a lot of people don't know 🚲📴 (@a lot of people don't know 🚲📴) 1552330907.0
@igcmatt @DarshunKendrick @bluestein @GAWINList @NARALGA @PPSE_Advocates @wabenews Understand that this is the horr… https://t.co/se4EKr8JWx— Savita Chamberlain (@Savita Chamberlain) 1552410906.0
The bill would also allow parents to claim an embryo with a pulse as a dependent on their taxes and can count the fetus towards the state's population.
Currently, the state bans abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The Center for Reproductive Rights called the heartbeat bill, "blatantly unconstitutional" and clarified the title as a misnomer.
The term “heartbeat bill” is a manipulative misnomer. These bills actually rob women of their choice to have an… https://t.co/aAryquLjjh— Center for Reproductive Rights (@Center for Reproductive Rights) 1553117787.0
The bill passed earlier this month with a 93-73 vote. Those in favor included 80 men and one person of color, according to Atlanta Magazine.
It is on its way to the Georgia State Senate where it is expected to reach Governor Brian Kemp's desk.