House approves stricter punishment for fetal tissue sale
ATLANTA (AP) - The Georgia House has approved a bill that would make selling aborted fetal tissue a felony.
The House voted 166 to 2 in favor of the bill on Wednesday. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Wendell Willard of Sandy Springs, says videos released by an anti-abortion rights group this summer prompted him to develop the measure.
Willard, one of the House's top Republicans, says he reviewed the state's law and found it wasn't strict enough to prevent sale of the tissue.
Gov. Nathan Deal ordered a review of abortion facilities in Georgia after the videos' release. State health officials reported that no licensed abortion providers were breaking state law, which requires that remains be buried or cremated.
The bill now goes to the state Senate for review.