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November 21, 2017On November 21, a Tallahassee judge held a hearing regarding a Florida law passed in 2015 requiring a 24-hour reflection period prior to abortion. In defending the law, the State cited research and the experience of post-abortive women who regret their abortions, staff from a pregnancy support service center who counsel women confronting unplanned pregnancies, and a physician who performs abortion pill reversals.
Furthermore, no other comparable medical procedure is performed without a prior visit and consultation with a physician. Reflection periods are in effect in 27 states and have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Florida law is currently on hold as the Florida Supreme Court granted an injunction earlier this year.
The FCCB supported this bill through the legislative process and filed an amicus curiae brief in the case, joined by the Pellegrino Center for Bioethics at Georgetown, the National Catholic Bioethics Center and the Catholic Medical Association.
A decision is expected in December. An appeal is possible.
ACTION: Please pray for wisdom for Judge Terry Lewis as he considers ordering a trial in this case.