Florida Legislature Passes 6-Week Abortion Ban

The Republican-controlled Florida House has passed a bill on April 13th that prohibits abortions after six weeks of gestation period. The Senate had already passed the HB 7 bill on April 4th, which will slash the current limit of 15 weeks, down by more than half.

The legislation presents some exceptions though. One of these exceptions is when the safety of the mother is at risk. Also, abortions may remain an option until 15 weeks in cases where the mother has experienced rape, incest, or human trafficking. Additionally, if a fatal fetal abnormality is discovered, abortions will remain an option until 27 weeks. Furthermore, the law specifies that drugs needed for medical abortions can only be obtained personally or through a physician. Women will no longer be able to undergo telemedicine for medical abortions.

Republican State Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, sponsor of the bill in the Florida House, claimed that the measure provides an opportunity to lead the national dialogue on protecting unborn children’s lives and allowing them to realize their destinies.

However, Democrats criticized the measure, claiming that it is extreme. The White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made a similar comment after the bill’s passing. According to her, the bill would prevent nearly four million women of reproductive age in Florida from receiving abortion care within six weeks, before most of these women even know that they are pregnant. She also claims that it would have an impact on approximately 15 million women of reproductive age in states that ban abortions.