ATLANTA — Georgia can give state money to "pregnancy resource centers" that offer medical and other services to pregnant women while discouraging them from getting abortions, under legislation signed by Republican Gov. Nathan Deal.
The governor signed the bill Tuesday in a private ceremony and didn't release a statement on it.
The sponsor, Sen. Renee Unterman of Buford, called the program a "positive" response to videos released this summer by abortion opponents showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing procedures for obtaining tissue from aborted fetuses for research. A Texas grand jury later cleared the organization of wrongdoing.
Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania have similar programs benefiting pregnancy centers. Opponents say the facilities use deceptive advertising to bring women in but won't discuss all legal options.
Lawmakers have proposed spending $2 million for the effort.