Abortion Limit at six weeks Passes First Committee in the House

HB 7 (Persons-Mulicka) passed its first stop in the House on Thursday when the Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee found it favorable on a 13-5 vote. The measure would reduce the harm of abortion and assist pregnant women and families with young children. Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, sent committee members a letter in support of the bill, and Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life, testified on behalf of the FCCB. 

The bill further limits when abortions can take place in Florida to the first six weeks of pregnancy - the stage in development when a heartbeat is first detectable. Exceptions to the bill’s six-week abortion ban are allowed for saving the life of the mother, for avoiding an irreversible and substantial impairment of a major bodily function of the mother, for fatal fetal abnormalities up to the third trimester, and for rape and incest up to 15 weeks gestation. While imperfect, the bill would be a tremendous improvement over current law and is strongly supported by the FCCB. 

The bill also includes several provisions providing vital pregnancy and parenting support for families. Additionally, the measure prohibits state funding from assisting women traveling out of state to obtain abortion services and prohibits telehealth from being used to provide abortion services.

The Senate companion, SB 300 (Grall), is on the agenda for the Health Policy Committee on Monday, March 20 at 3:30pm.