Rep. Jacques’ pregnancy resource bill passes House, Democrats push for abortion access info
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House of Representatives passed legislation on Thursday that would establish an online pregnancy resource hub for new and expecting parents.
The bill, HB 415, was filed by Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole.
Jacques explained on the House floor that the website would contain resources for expecting parents and pregnant women.
Services would include education materials on pregnancy and parenting, maternal health services, prenatal and postnatal services, educational and mentorship programs for fathers, social services, financial assistance and adoption services.
The Florida Department of Health would contract with a third party to develop the site.
The Senate version, SB 436, was sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce.
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 birth control.
Eskamani said abortion is not something to “stigmatize or shame” Florida, and that is why the online resources should include information on abortion.
She added that if the true intent of the bill is to provide “accurate, factual information to Floridians,” rather than the state’s own “agenda,” lawmakers should support the amendment reforms.
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.”
“This bill will go a long way to proving key resources to pregnant women, expecting parents, fathers, here in the state of Florida,” he said. “To make sure that pregnancy is never a burden here in the state of Florida.”
