Florida House passes bill to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A proposal to ban abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy has passed the Florida House.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

After several hours of debate, lawmakers voted just after the clock struck midnight.

A Senate committee could take up the bill as early as next week.

If it becomes law, women would have 15 weeks to terminate a pregnancy, instead of 24 weeks.

READ: Girl missing since 2019 found alive

The bill is one of the most hotly debated issues of the 2022 legislative session.

Activists broke out into a chant inside the House gallery in Tallahassee, voicing their opposition of the bill.

“I just don’t understand how exceptions for rape, incest, human trafficking is something this body cannot support in a bipartisan fashion,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani.

READ: Trio accused of trafficking teenagers for sex; MBI believes there are more victims

“For many in this room, abortion is the taking of a life, and that is where I stand,” said Rep. Colleen Burton.

The Republican-controlled House passed the controversial bill in a 78 to 39 vote.

The bill includes exceptions if the abortion is necessary to save a mother’s life, prevent serious injury to the mother or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

READ: Tennessee woman indicted on aggravated statutory rape charges involving high school students

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously signaled his support for the proposal.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group