TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor DeSantis signed the six-week abortion ban into law after the Florida House of Representatives passed the bill Thursday in a 70-40 vote.
Earlier this month, the Florida Senate passed a six-week abortion ban in a 26-13 vote.
SB 300 would cut abortion access in the state to six weeks with exceptions for rape, incest, and fatal fetal conditions; those with such circumstances would be able to get an abortion for up to 15 weeks. Six weeks is before many know they’re pregnant— but around the time cardiac activity may be detected.
The bill also has reporting requirements "to ensure violent perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes against women and girls, and to help prevent repeated sexual assault, abuse, and violence against rape, incest, and human trafficking survivors, [...] so criminals can be brought to justice."
Democrats are fiercely opposed to the bill. Many considered the bill tantamount to a total ban.
Now that the bill is passed in both the House and the Senate, DeSantis can sign it. DeSantis has said repeatedly he “welcomes pro-life legislation.”
However, even with the Governor's signature, the six-week ban hinges on a Florida Supreme Court ruling before it can take effect.
Later this year, justices are expected to make a decision on Florida's current 15-week abortion law and determine whether or not it violates the state's broad privacy protections.
In the meantime, those on either side of the issue are having mixed reactions to the bill's journey.
Scott Mahurin with the anti-abortion group Florida Preborn Rescue told ABC Action News that Thursday's news was a sign of progress in our state.
"Overall, we're excited it's a good day for life in Florida," he said, "11, 12 years ago, pro-lifers couldn't even get a parental notification bill passed or a 24-hour waiting period passed."
But Mahurin added that he wants to see the laws tightened further and with fewer exceptions.
"Our goal is that abortion is illegal and unthinkable in Florida and across the country ultimately," he said.
On the other side of things, those who work to help people access abortion care through the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund (TBAF) said Thursday's vote was a major disappointment.
"I think with that ban, it's not only going to hurt Floridians, it's gonna hurt the whole south because people travel here from different states every single day," said Bree Wallace a volunteer with TBAF.
Wallace told ABC Action News that despite this, the group is working to raise $50,000 to help send folks out of state so they can access abortion care elsewhere.
"We help over 200 people a month right now. If most of them now had to get out of state, that would be so costly, $1000-$2000 a person," she said.
And in the meantime, she added that the TBAF is also working to help address current confusion about which abortions are and aren't legal right now in Florida.
"The 15-week still stands. We will let you know when it doesn't. Keep your appointments," he said.
