ATLANTA — The Senate approved three Republican-backed bills Thursday directly or indirectly related to abortions in Georgia.
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The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, is based on a law passed by Congress following the nationally publicized murder of California’s Laci Peterson. It declares unborn children of women who are victims of criminal violence additional victims of that crime.
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The second measure would allow pharmacists to opt out of filling prescriptions for drugs designed to end pregnancies if they object on moral or religious grounds. They would have to file a written statement to take advantage of the offer.
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The third bill would require abortion providers to have ultrasound equipment in their offices and take sonograms of any woman seeking an abortion.
Sen. Nancy Schaefer, R-Turnerville, the bill’s sponsor, cited research showing that 75 percent of women planning abortions who view their unborn child through a sonogram decide to give birth.
“This sonogram bill will save lives,’’ she said.
The bill specifies that women could choose not to look at the sonograms.
All three bills passed with solid support from Republicans and rural white Democrats, with 15 to 17 “no’’ votes from black and Atlanta-area Democrats.