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On the first day of the legislative session, two bills emerged to protect women and limit the harm of abortion in Florida. SB 146 (Stargel) and HB 5 (Grall) would prohibit abortion after 15 weeks gestation, shrinking the window of time in which an abortion is able to be legally obtained.

Encouraged by the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in the Mississippi abortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, yet in somber recognition of the millions of lives lost to abortion, Florida's Catholic bishops have released a joint statement marking the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Additionally, in Catholic dioceses in the U.S., January 22 is observed annually as a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.

Governor DeSantis approved a record $100 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021. Before signing the budget, the governor used his line-item veto authority to cut $1.5 billion from the spending plan approved by the legislature. Included in his line-item vetoes was the new $2 million recurring appropriation to promote and provide Hormonal Long-acting Reversible Contraception (HLARC).

On May 17, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. A decision by the high court is expected by June 2022 and could, for the first time since 1973, greatly diminish the ruling in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion.

On April 23, HB 1221 (Grall) was passed by the House (74-44). The measure prohibits a physician from performing an abortion if the physician knows, or should know, that the woman is seeking the abortion solely on the basis of a prenatal test result or fetal diagnosis of a disability or the potential of a disability. The bill defines disability as any disease, defect or disorder that is genetically inherited including physical disabilities or disfigurement, mental or intellectual disabilities, or Down syndrome, and does not include a lethal fetal anomaly. An exception is provided if the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother. FCCB supports this measure as an incremental step that limits the harm of an abortion. The Senate companion, SB 1664 (Rodriguez, A.), has yet to be heard in committee this year.

On April 6, HB 1221 (Grall) was passed (12-8) by the House Health & Human Services Committee. The bill prohibits a physician from performing an abortion if the physician knows, or should know, that the woman is seeking the abortion solely on the basis of a prenatal test result or fetal diagnosis of a disability or the potential of a disability. The bill defines disability as any disease, defect or disorder that is genetically inherited including physical disabilities or disfigurement, mental or intellectual disabilities, or Down syndrome, and does not include a lethal fetal anomaly. An exception is provided if the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother. FCCB supports this measure as an incremental step that limits the harm of an abortion. HB 1221 was passed (12-8) by the House Health & Human Services Committee, its second committee of reference. The Senate companion, SB 1664 (Rodriguez, A.), has yet to be heard in committee.

The Hyde Amendment, contained in the federal government's annual appropriations legislation, prohibits federal funding of domestic abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. It is a bipartisan provision that has been part of federal appropriations for 45 years (since 1976). In addition to being widely supported by Americans, it saves lives and respects the consciences of Americans. However, it is now under grave threat. 

On April 1, HB 241 (Grall) was passed by the full House (78-37). The bill ensures that the right of parents to review instructional materials and curriculum is transparent and forthcoming. It also establishes parental consent requirements for medical care provided to a minor child. Having access to information about their rights allows parents to make informed decisions and better direct their child's education and health care. FCCB support for the bill is highlighted in a letter to Rep. Grall. The measure will go to the Senate for final passage. Companion bill, SB 582 (Rodrigues, R.), is in its final committee of reference, Senate Rules. 

The suffering and societal neglect of persons with disabilities calls for caring and compassionate solutions that recognize the value of the individual, not for the violence of abortion that seeks to eliminate the disabled as a burden unworthy of our love and protection. HB 1221 (Grall) prohibits a physician from performing an abortion if the physician knows, or should know, that the woman is seeking the abortion solely on the basis of a prenatal test result or fetal diagnosis of a disability or the potential of a disability.

The Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling usurped the proper role of legislators and imposed an extreme abortion regime that has contributed to the polarization that has divided us as a nation and further wounded our society by ending over 61 million lives. Its trauma affects the web of social relationships that form families and society. Disregard for unborn life too often has poisoned political discourse and coarsened our mutual respect. It also undermines our appreciation for the value of every person, especially those who are vulnerable.

During a virtual press conference organized by the Susan B. Anthony List and other pro-life allies, Senators Ana Maria Rodriguez and Ray Rodrigues and Reps. Tommy Gregory and David Borrero announced their support and sponsorship of the Florida Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops thanks Governor Ron DeSantis for signing into law SB 404, a bill that requires parental consent before a minor has an abortion. This common-sense measure simply holds abortion to the same consent requirements as most every other medical decision involving a child, including simple interventions such as taking an aspirin or getting ears pierced.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops thanks Governor Ron DeSantis for signing into law today SB 404, a bill that requires parental consent before a minor has an abortion. This common-sense measure simply holds abortion to the same consent requirements as most every other medical decision involving a child, including simple interventions such as taking an aspirin or getting ears pierced.

Pope Francis has called for parishes to be "islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference." In response to this call, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched Walking With Moms in Need: A Year of Service. This nationwide effort envisions that parish communities increase outreach to pregnant and parenting moms in need. 

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25, we also mark the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II's encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life). This prophetic document on the value and inviolability of every human life remains an indispensable source of truth. It reaffirms the "greatness and the inestimable value of human life" (EV 2) and addresses present-day legal, ethical, and moral threats to life, including abortion, artificial reproduction techniques, contraception, the death penalty, euthanasia, sterilization, and suicide. 

HB 1217 (Beltran) authorizes hospitals, emergency medical service stations, and fire stations that are staffed 24 hours a day to install newborn safety devices or "baby boxes" to accept surrendered newborn infants. Florida's existing safe haven law allows parents who are unwilling or unable to care for their newborn children to anonymously surrender their infants and grants the parents immunity from criminal prosecution. HB 1217 increases the age that an infant may be surrendered from seven days to 30 days old.

On Thursday, the Florida House passed SB 404 (75-43). In a press release, the bishops of Florida commended our state legislature for passing, with bipartisan support, legislation that ensures a parent provides consent before a minor can terminate her pregnancy.

The bishops of Florida commend our state legislature for passing, with bipartisan support, legislation that ensures a parent provides consent before a minor can terminate her pregnancy. Parental consent is required prior to a minor's medical treatment in most every instance, this includes simple medical interventions such as taking an aspirin or getting one’s ears pierced. This legislation is a common-sense measure that holds abortion to the same consent requirements as most every other medical decision involving a child.

On Thursday, February 6, SB 404 (Stargel) passed the full Senate (23-17). The bill requires that a parent or legal guardian shall provide consent before a minor can terminate her pregnancy, as they must do in most every case prior to a minor's medical treatment. The bill includes a judicial waiver process when parental abuse is a concern.

SB 404 (Stargel) was heard by its second committee of reference, Senate Judiciary. After a lengthy period of testimony and a procedural move by an opponent that could have delayed a vote on the bill, it favorably passed the committee (3-2).