The Florida Senate on April 3 passed a bill prohibiting abortions after six weeks, a measure backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that prompted demonstrations at the state’s capital, which resulted in the arrest of a state senator and the Florida Democrat Party leader.
The state Senate voted 26-13 in favor of the bill, while the House version of the bill—which is nearly identical—advanced out of committee last week and is expected to be voted on soon.
“For decades now, Florida has been a nationwide leader in defending the rights of the unborn. The Heartbeat Protection Act will make Florida a beacon of hope for those who understand that life is sacred and must be protected,” said state Sen. Erin Grall, a Republican who sponsored the bill.
“This bill represents an unprecedented opportunity to protect innocent life, and to stand with the brave moms who choose life for their babies,” Grall added.
Either bill could be approved by the other chamber and sent to DeSantis’s desk as early as this week to be signed into law.
Florida currently prohibits abortions after 15 weeks, and a six-week ban would align Florida more closely with the abortion restrictions of other Republican-controlled states.
The new bill will only take effect if Florida’s 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge that is currently before the state Supreme Court.
If the proposal does become law, it would be a political win for DeSantis on an issue important to Republican primary voters ahead of his potential White House run.
“We’re for pro-life. I urge the legislature to work, produce good stuff, and we will sign,” DeSantis said in February when asked about a six-week abortion ban.
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The bill makes exceptions for abortions when the mother’s life or health are at serious risk—excluding psychological health. There are also exceptions in cases where the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest until 15 weeks of pregnancy.
“Our bill also includes strong and clear exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking, in addition to those already available for the life of the mother,” Grall said in a statement.
By Tom Ozimek
