Florida House Republicans leveraged their supermajority to pass the six-week abortion ban Thursday. The 'Heartbeat Protection Act' will go to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk for what will likely be a consequential moment for his expected presidential run.
"I want people who are watching us right now to know that you have people fighting for you," said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, who worked at Planned Parenthood before she was elected to office."Regardless of what happens in this state, we're going to make sure folks still have access, and that means if you have to travel somewhere else, we will find ways to help.
The proposal includes $25 million for state-contracted pregnancy crisis centers and $5 million for family-planning services such as contraception and counseling. Democrats in both chambers tried unsuccessfully to reallocate that money toward expanding childcare services, rape, and domestic violence centers, and a program created by the Legislature to address racial disparities in maternal care.
The bill also maintains a provision in Florida law that requires women seeking an abortion to see a doctor twice, at least 24 hours between each visit. Democratic lawmakers noted that requirement takes on new significance when time is of the essence; many women don't know they're pregnant until after six weeks.
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