Shortly before a blockbuster Senate hearing on legislation that would restrict most abortions, a new version of the legislation emerged.

The bill, House Bill 481, would still ban abortions in Georgia if doctors can detect a heartbeat – often as early as six weeks – aside from a few exceptions: Rape, incest, the health of the mother or medical futility.

One of the biggest additions involves a new requirement that the father of the unborn child pay for medical and pregnancy-related expenses. That provision was pushed by state Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick, a House Democratic leader who still opposes the overall bill.

The Senate version also cuts a preamble that Democrats and other critics said was inaccurate and incendiary.

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Derrick Byrd (left) and Joseph Roundtree load food into a car during a giveaway at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Stonecrest. Gospel music played while volunteers sang, smiled and greeted each vehicle. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal

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(Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty, Unsplash)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC