Florida 6-week abortion ban signed into law
A new abortion ban is set to hit the southern states, this time in Florida, with Florida Governor Robert Desantis signing a 6-week abortion ban into law. Florida is now 1 of 12 US states with approved bans on abortions after 6 weeks.
Florida 6-week abortion ban signed into law | Image Credit: © zimmytws - © zimmytws - stock.adobe.com.
Florida Governor Robert DeSantis has signed a state-wide 6-week abortion ban into law, cutting off access to care for thousands who would travel from neighboring states.
"Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families," DeSantis said in a social media post announcing the signing.
The bill, S.B. 300, was passed by the Florida House in a 70 to 40 vote, after receiving approval from the Senate in the prior week. With the bill’s approval, Florida is 1 of 12 states with approved bans on abortions after 6 weeks.
Other states with a 6-week abortion ban include Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Iowa. Near-total bans on abortion have been approved in 13 other states.
Exceptions are included in the legislation for victims of incest, race, and human trafficking for up to 15 weeks when evidence is provided. However, 6 weeks is often a point when people do not realize they are pregnant.
The bill was approved nearly a week following the suspension of the FDA’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone by a federal judge in Texas. This indicates further hurdles for reproductive care following the overturning of Roe v. Wadeby the Supreme Court.
Following Desantis’ approval, the bill will be debated in the Florida Supreme Court. Arguments are being made in the Supreme Court that the bill violates a state privacy clause established decades ago.
State Representative Jennifer Canady noted provisions in the bill such as $5 million to the state Department of Health for promoting contraception and other causes. The bill also includes $15 million for supporting mothers who give birth.
According to House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa, a 6-week ban on abortion would increase the maternal death rate in Florida.White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre referred to the bill as, “extreme and dangerous.”
Reference
DeSantis signs Florida's 6-week abortion ban into law. Yahoo! News. April 13, 2023. Accessed April 14, 2023. https://www.yahoo.com/news/florida-gop-controlled-legislature-approves-203814816.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWNzLnRlYW1zLmNkbi5vZmZpY2UubmV0Lw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFxk7Xv6AkoYGjrwdtzm_JCTpD4A5G6HNs1Xkp1zykPb7tC6GhODQ5ZwITViMi4agcQQo_w2JHdjPLvjgixJdqpRSo6mi1JgCTl8OYTqm5dK4zoyugDEYtYK3QPY7qb9rSVRJsBwsz-O0H_MP32opFBhoNKmueq_30zqiOJQm-hW
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