Bill creating online pregnancy resource hub heads to DeSantis
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A bill that would establish an online pregnancy resource hub for new and expecting parents passed through the Senate floor Tuesday and will head to the governor’s desk after some Democratic lawmakers pushed back on the bill.
Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Clearwater, sponsored HB 415, which passed the Senate with a 27-12 vote. Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, sponsored the Senate version of the bill.
Grall explained that the website will contain critical resources for pregnant women ranging from prenatal care and maternal health services, social services, early childhood development resources, and educational mentorship programs specifically designed for fathers.
The information will be compiled into an “easy to navigate” website maintained by the Florida Department of Health Agency for Healthcare Administration and Department of Children and Families.
Grall said the bill has the funding for the website in the sum of $466,200.
Democratic lawmakers including Sens. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, and Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, questioned if information on abortion would be included on the website.
Grall said that because Florida does not fund abortion, she does not know that it would be included.
In debate, Berman argued that “we need abortion access.”
“Abortion, contraception and sex education are all components of reproductive health care,” Berman said. “In a state website funded by us should offer comprehensive options for the needs of all Floridians, not a narrow agenda.”
Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, called legislation “anti-abortion.”
“This legislation here, again, is not needed,” Davis said. “The fear is inaccuracy, posted up on a website not giving true and legitimate information.”
In closing, Grall said she “always find[s] it fascinating that everything” lawmakers talk about “turns into abortions.”
“We’re here to talk about pregnancy and parenting, and all of the services that we provide as a state around that,” Grall said.
Grall said the state should be “looking to give” constituents resources that would be included on the website.
“The most liberal woman who’s pregnant next to the most conservative woman who’s pregnant, the facts are still the same about the development of that child,” Grall said. “They’re still the same.”
Previously, Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, and Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, filed amendments attempting to reform the bill and add provisions, including required information on abortion resources and how to access abortions within the state, as well as access to other information on birth control.
Jacques responded to these arguments during debate.
“It’s quite disturbing that some of my colleagues in this chamber [are] hellbent on adding the killing of unborn to a website that has to do with resources for parents,” he said. “Because, God forbid, somebody chooses to being in a life here in our state.”
The bill will head to the governor’s desk for final approval.
