TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Just hours after it passed the Florida House of Representatives, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he’d signed SB 300, the “Heartbeat Protection Act.”
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The legislation prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy or once a heartbeat is detected. The bill does contains some exceptions, including to save the woman’s life.
Abortion for pregnancies involving rape or incest would also be allowed until 15-weeks of pregnancy with proper documentation.
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“We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said in a statement announcing the signing of the bill. “I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families.”
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
Democrats and abortion rights advocates argue the legislation would ban almost all abortions because many women don’t yet know they’re pregnant at six weeks.
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The legislature’s conservative majority overwhelmingly passed the bill late Thursday afternoon with 70 votes in favor and 40 votes against it.
Although it was signed by Gov. DeSantis, the bill won’t go into effect for some time.
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The Florida Supreme Court is currently in the process of considering a 15-week abortion ban that was passed last year.
The new bill will only take effect if the Supreme Court allows the 15-week ban to remain.
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