A bill has been filed in the Florida House that would make it illegal for women to get an abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected.
Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola, filed House Bill 235 on January 10, 2019, for consideration during the legislative session that begins March 5, 2019. Read the full bill filed here.
The measure proposes a third-degree felony charge for anyone who "knowingly or purposefully performs or induces an abortion on a pregnant woman with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of the unborn human being whose fetal heartbeat has been detected." There are limited exceptions for life-threatening situations.
Currently, abortions in Florida are allowed up to the 24th week of pregnancy.
