Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP)

Georgia imposes a variety of burdensome requirements on abortion providers that are not imposed on other health care providers, including:

Restrictions on Where Abortions May Be Performed

Georgia places medically unnecessary restrictions on where abortions may be performed.

Abortion facilities must be "available at all reasonable and/or scheduled operating hours for observation and examination" by state officials.  The regulations make no reference to patient privacy, whether clinic activities may be disturbed, or confidentiality measures.  Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 290-5-33-.08(1).

In order to perform post-first-trimester abortions, a provider must be licensed as a hospital, an ambulatory surgical center, or an "abortion facility" (which must also be an ambulatory surgical center).  Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 290-5-32-.01(g), -.02(1).  The state restricts providers in "abortion facilities" to performing only D&E procedures.  Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 290-5-32-.02(1).  Therefore, any procedure after 13 weeks other than D&E must be performed in a hospital or an ambulatory surgical center.

Restrictions on Who May Perform Abortions

Georgia prohibits certain qualified health care professionals from performing abortions.

Only a physician licensed by the state to practice medicine and surgery may perform an abortion.  Ga. Code Ann. § 16-12-141(a) (Enacted 1968; Last Amended 2005).