In addition to stricter abortion regulations, women in Florida will now have to provide proof if they become pregnant as a result of sexual assault.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially signed the Heartbeat Protection Act on Thursday, April 13th. He quietly approved the bill, with little to no hype surrounding it, though he did send out a tweet later that night. The new law does not allow for an abortion after six weeks. For victims who become pregnant due to rape, incest, or human trafficking, must provide proof that an assault took place. This can be in the form of a police report, medical records, or court documentation. The only other way to receive an abortion after 15 weeks is if it’s needed to save the woman’s life.
The Heartbeat Protection Act arrived just one year after DeSantis signed a bill that banned abortions after 15 weeks. The latest law aligns with many other red states, pushing for more pro-life measures. Florida’s new bill is already being challenged by the state’s Supreme Court.
Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families. pic.twitter.com/quZpSj1ZPk
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 14, 2023
President Joe Biden has slammed Florida for its decision, the same way he has with other Republican states stripping women’s right to choose.
“This ban would prevent four million Florida women of reproductive age from accessing abortion care after six weeks before many women even know they’re pregnant,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed their disapproval of the abortion ban. The main point of contention is the fact that it takes away the time period women have to learn of their pregnancy and weigh their options. According to Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, the number of women seeking abortions in Florida from other states climbed from 3,988 in 2020 to 6,708 in 2022. Now, women from Florida will be the one’s seeking out abortion options in other places.
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