Georgia has a more liberal abortion law on its books, but it became law without the signature of Gov. Lester Maddox.

The new law legalizes abortion in cases where continuation of pregnancy would endanger the life or seriously and permanently injure the health of the mother; where the child would likely be born with grave and permanent mental or physical defects; or where the pregnancy resulted from forcible or statutory rape.

The bill, however, is not as broad as first proposed bill which was opposed in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

One change makes it necessary that three physicians must agree, after separate examinations, on the necessity of abortion for the sake of the mother or unborn child’s health.

Another amendment provides that abortion must be performed in a licensed hospital and detail reports must be filed with authorities.

Sen. Robert F. Andrews of Gainesville, one of the bill’s sponsors, said other provisions make it necessary to get permission from the expectant mother before an abortion is performed and permits the solicitors general power to delay abortions for investigation and to prosecute if the law is wrongfully used.

Though he did not sign the new law, the governor earlier signed a revision of the state’s criminal code which included basically the same provisions relating to abortion.

Maddox said he felt the criminal code as a whole outweighed any slight reservations he had about safeguards in the abortion law.