ATLANTA – State Representative Lehman Franklin (R-Statesboro) will sponsor legislation to protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is a legislative priority for House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington). The proposed legislation would codify protections for IVF, ensuring that Georgians struggling with infertility will always have access to the treatment.
“I am honored to put forth this legislation that will preserve access to IVF which has provided countless Georgia families with the blessing of a child—including my own,” said Rep. Franklin. “My wife and I are overjoyed to be welcoming our first daughter later this year thanks to IVF. I want to ensure every family who faces the challenge of infertility has an opportunity to experience the miracle that IVF can provide.”
“Millions of Americans and Georgians are faced with infertility when they begin the journey to start or grow their families,” said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. “We know that IVF has allowed thousands of Georgians to achieve the dream of parenthood, and this legislation ensures that access to this life-changing medical assistance will never be a question in our state.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 percent of women face infertility. IVF has proven to be a safe and effective way to make the dream of having children possible for many of those women, and here in Georgia, more than 2,300 children were born through IVF in 2021 alone.
*Editor’s note: the full text of the legislation is attached.
Representative Lehman Franklin represents the citizens of District 160, which includes portions of Bryan and Bulloch counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Retirement Committee and of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. He also serves on the Economic Development & Tourism and Interstate Cooperation committees.
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