Hudgens offers amendment to child endangerment statute

ATLANTA - A northeast Georgia state senator tried to tie an abortion related amendment to the proposed child endangerment statute. <br> <br> During a 45-minute debate Tuesday, Sen. Ralph Hudgens, a Republican from Comer, offered an amendment to apply the child endangerment charge to anyone who performs an abortion on a woman past her 24th week of pregnancy. His amendment was eventually withdrawn.<br> <br> The overall bill unanimously passed the Senate.<br> <br> It states that a person could be charged with felony child endangerment if his or her conduct places a child in ``imminent danger of death, bodily injury or mental injury.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The bill, which was backed by Lt. Gov. Mark and sponsored by Sen. Michael Meyer Von Bremen, D-Albany, now heads to the House, where it will likely be met without opposition. <br> <br> ``This is a great day for children in Georgia,&#39;&#39; Taylor said after the vote. ``The bill has been carefully studied and carefully crafted, and it&#39;s an issue that&#39;s been discussed with every member of the House and Senate.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Georgia is the only state without a felony child endangerment statute. <br> <br> The state currently has a felony charge of child cruelty, but many cases get dropped because that crime requires prosecutors to prove malice or intent, Taylor said. <br> <br> ``We need to pass this legislation and get it on over to the House,&#39;&#39; Meyer Von Bremen said. ``We don&#39;t need to be playing with this legislation.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Another amendment, introduced by Republican Sen. Preston Smith of Rome, would have exempted gun owners from the bill. It was defeated 36-16. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s a total victory today for children in Georgia,&#39;&#39; said Wendi Lee Clifton, a spokeswoman with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. ``It speaks volumes that all the senators voted for this bill.&#39;&#39;