Georgia Life Alliance Committee praises Senator Renee Unterman and the Georgia Senate for quick passage of Senate Bill 308. SB 308 establishes the “Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program.” The purpose of the legislation is to promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations that provide pregnancy support services.

On February 11, Senator Unterman presented S.B. 308 to the Senate chamber, sharing stories of her personal interaction with local pregnancy centers, as well as her family’s adoption experiences and relationships with the birthmothers involved. After an approximate hour of debate, the bill passed the Senate with a vote of 38-16 in favor of the bill.

Georgia Life Alliance Committee fully supports the measure. The Positive Alternatives approach to helping pregnant women in Georgia is seen as a long-view answer to helping Georgia’s women and unborn babies. “Positives Alternatives programs are viable and growing in at least eight other states in the nation,” according to Executive Director Emily Matson. “The heart and passion of these centers and their volunteers is incomparable in its long-term impact upon the women and families they help. By establishing the grant program we will be helping Georgia’s pregnancy centers do what they do – with greater resources.”

If passed and fully funded, the Positive Alternatives program is expected to impact over 70 non-profit pregnancy centers throughout Georgia. Senate Bill 308 is now assigned to the Georgia House Health and Human Services Committee.

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