On Monday, the upper chamber of the Florida Legislature voted 26-13 in favor of a bill that will ban abortion at the six-week mark, around the time an unborn baby develops a heartbeat.
Florida already has a law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, which is being challenged in court. The six-week ban passed Monday will now move to the Florida house, where it is expected to pass as soon as this week. Governor Ron DeSantis has signaled he is ready to sign the heartbeat bill.
SB 300 make exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or human trafficking. It also allows for an exception when the mother’s life or health is at serious risk. The exception does not cover psychological conditions.
If signed into law, its implementation will depend upon how the Florida Supreme Court rules on the existing 15-week ban. The law’s challengers argue that it violates Florida’s constitution.
Katie Daniel, policy director for the advocacy group SBA Pro-Life America, hailed the bill’s passage as consistent with the will of Floridians and a real victory for the pro-life movement.
“Sixty-two percent of Floridians support protecting unborn children from abortion when their heartbeat can be detected, including 61% of Independents and 58% of women. Florida’s life-saving heartbeat protection legislation not only represents the will of people by bringing the Sunshine State into line with 19 other states that protect babies with beating hearts, but also by funding vital services for women and families,” Daniel said.
“Nearly one quarter of Florida’s abortions were sought for ‘social or economic reasons’ last year. Research also shows over 60% of women who have abortions report pressure, whether because of finances, a male partner, or other source – surely we can all agree that is not what free ‘choice’ looks like,” she continued.
The bill will also allocate $25 million in funds to pregnancy resource centers to support women in need.