Florida House of Representatives Passes Bill Banning Most Abortions After Six Weeks, Headed to Governor’s Desk for Approval

The Florida House of Representatives has approved a bill that would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for abortions that risk the life of a mother and abortions up to fifteen weeks for pregnancies caused by instances of rape, incest or human trafficking.

Senate Bill 300, titled the “Heartbeat Protection Act,” was passed by a 70 to 40 vote on Thursday. It is now headed to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk for approval.

The bill would make Florida one of the most restrictive states in the country to obtain an abortion and follows moves by other Republican-led states to swiftly to curb the procedure since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer.

The bill prohibits state funds being used in any way to help a woman get an abortion from another state, and using “telehealth” or mail to receive abortion medication. It also makes it a third-degree felony for physicians or anyone who “actively participate(s) in” an abortion in violation of the ban.

Governor DeSantis has indicated he supports the bill, and if approved, it would take effect July 1. The bill has been met with criticism from pro-choice advocates, who argue that it would limit access to safe and legal abortions.