The Latest: Tense scene after Georgia lawmakers pass abortion bill

ATLANTA (AP) – The Latest on the passage of a Georgia bill that bans most when a heartbeat can be detected (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

A tense situation unfolded right after the Georgia House gave final approval to a bill that bans most abortions when a fetal heartbeat can detected as Democratic lawmakers and protesters refused law enforcement officers’ orders to disperse.

Three of the legislators, Rep. Renitta Shannon, Rep. Erica Thomas and Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, stood between officers and the protesters and tried to defuse the situation.

The Georgia House had just passed the bill, which drew intense opposition from abortion rights groups, citizens and doctors.

Women in Georgia can currently seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy. A heartbeat can be detected in an embryo as early as six weeks, before many women know they’re pregnant.

The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who supports it.

People in the halls anxiously watching the House debate on SB481 the so called Heartbeat Bill. @cbs46 #gapol pic.twitter.com/t4sGBpEaHh

— Vince Sims (@SimsCBS46) March 29, 2019

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3:10 p.m.

Bucking intense opposition from abortion rights groups, citizens and doctors, the Georgia House has given final approval to a “fetal heartbeat” abortion ban outlawing almost all abortions in the state.

The bill passed Friday now goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who backs it.

The ultimate goal, like that of several GOP controlled states moving to enact the strict abortion bans, is to get a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.

Women in Georgia can currently seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy. A heartbeat can be detected in an embryo as early as six weeks, before many women know they’re pregnant.

GOP governors in Mississippi and Kentucky have recently signed similar “heartbeat” bills.

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To @BrianKempGA & Speaker Ralston:
Attached, is an open letter signed by 50 actors against #HB481. On behalf of the undersigned–as people often called to work in GA or those of us contractually bound to work in GA–we hope you'll reconsider signing this bill. #HBIsBadForBusiness pic.twitter.com/DsOmAWYU2x

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 28, 2019