Six-week abortion ban clears last committee, poised for House vote

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Legislation prohibiting abortions after six weeks passed its last House committee in a party line vote Thursday.

The bill would ban abortions after six weeks unless the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest and the fetus is no older than 15 weeks.

A restraining order, police report, medical record, or other court document demonstrating that the woman was a rape or incest victim must be presented by the person requesting the abortion, according to the proposed legislation.

Other exceptions to the abortion ban include if the mother’s life is at risk or if the pregnancy has not progressed to the third trimester and physicians believe the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

The bill forbids the use of telemedicine for abortions and mandates that any medication used to induce an abortion must be prescribed in person by a doctor.

Except in circumstances of medical emergency and where federal law mandates states pay for such travel, the measure forbids the use of state funds to cover the cost of traveling outside of the state to seek an abortion.

Bill sponsor Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, called the legislation “a significant step forward.”

“In the state of Florida, we will continue to move in a direction that values life, that stands with our mothers, that stands with our children, that protects our children,” said Persons-Mulicka.

There were many citizens present for the hearing on the bill.

“Physicians should not have to refer to the penal code before consulting with their patient,” said one woman.

“I am so angry that you presume to know what is best for my life, for the lives of other women, and children in this state,” said another.

A small number also spoke in favor, with one calling the bill a “much needed next step in protecting every life in the state of Florida.”

SBA Pro-Life America’s State Policy Director Katie Daniel said an “increasing number” of abortions in Florida is because people come from out of state.

“We want to continue Florida’s legacy as one of the top vacation destinations in the U.S., not as a destination to end lives of babies with heartbeats,” Daniel said. “Every single one of these babies has dignity and worth, and more than a 90% chance of surviving to birth once their heart is beating.”

Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg, delivered remarks in opposition to the legislation, liking it to “a full ban on abortion.”

“Make no mistake, a miniscule six weeks is a time period so short that most women and girls will fail to realize they are pregnant. Six weeks, the fetus is about the size of a sweet pea or a tiny piece of gum,” said Cross.

Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, who is also a licensed physician, voiced his approval of the proposed bill.

“The reason we make our laws, we make our laws to protect our citizens from harm and we need to consider the rights of the unborn,” said Massullo.

The bill now moves to the House floor for a vote. The Florida Senate is expected to hear a similar abortion bill Thursday.