Florida’s six-week “heartbeat” abortion ban took effect on May 1 after a year of legal battles

05/05/2024 / By Laura Harris

Florida’s “Heartbeat Law,” which bans abortions after six weeks, officially came into effect on May 1 after being delayed for over a year following a series of legal obstacles put up by pro-abortion activists.

In April 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill, known as SB300 – Pregnancy and Parenting Support, into law to protect mothers and unborn children. SB300 bans abortions after six weeks with exceptions for victims of rape, incest, human trafficking and mothers with serious medical complications.

Before abortions are performed, the law mandates ultrasounds, a 24-hour reflection period except in emergencies and informed consent. These requirements ensure that thorough consideration and proper medical evaluations are done before abortions are performed.

Doctors who will perform abortions must also now use objective physical measurements, such as “crown to rump” length, alongside ultrasounds to accurately determine the gestational age of the unborn child. The law will also place stringent penalties on healthcare providers found to be providing abortions in violation of the state law, including the loss of their medical licenses.

The law’s implementation was delayed due to lawsuits put forward by Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups. But this matter was settled after the Florida Supreme Court ruled by a vote of six in favor and one dissenting. The decision ruled that the state’s constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion. The ruling also upheld an existing 15-week abortion ban and paved the way for the Heartbeat Law’s implementation alongside other abortion regulations.

SB300 to save countless lives

“The Heartbeat Law will save countless lives, some of whom may become world leaders in science, medicine, and technology that will benefit the world,” said Mat Staver, the founder and chairman of the conservative nonprofit and legal organization Liberty Counsel. “The Heartbeat Law protects the valuable lives of both the unborn child and the mother and provides a wide range of options and support for women. The Heartbeat Law will provide $30 million in public funds to help pregnant women and their children. Florida is now on the side of life.”

Other anti-abortion activists argue that the six-week abortion ban could save the lives of up to 50,000 unborn children in Florida who would have otherwise been aborted.

Laura Goodhue, the executive director of Planned Parenthood in Florida, the largest provider of reproductive healthcare services in the state, estimates that approximately 40,000 pregnant women who would have sought abortions at their clinics may now be “forced” to carry their pregnancies to term or travel outside the state for the procedure.

The new ban has garnered significant attention, with more patients acutely aware of its implications. However, Goodhue noted that while awareness might be higher, it offers little solace to the thousands of women who suddenly find themselves with limited options in Florida.

Meanwhile, other abortion clinics like the Women’s Choice clinic in Jacksonville have partnered with adoption agencies. The clinic will coordinate arrangements to refer patients to clinics owned by the same company in North Carolina and Virginia for an all-expense paid abortion trip. (Related: Newsom calls on Florida women to come to California for abortions after passage of six-week abortion ban in Sunshine State.)

Visit Abortions.news for more stories about abortion bans in the United States.

Watch this clip from Fox Business discussing how Democrats are planning to make abortion a top issue in the November election.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.