Florida Senate Bill Aims to Protect Pregnant Mothers from Abortion Penalties
A bill recently filed in the Florida Senate is seeking to offer protection to pregnant mothers by removing them from the list of individuals who could be penalized for having an abortion. The bill, known as SB 34: Termination of Pregnancies, has been introduced by Florida Senate Democratic Minority Leader Lauren Book.
Under the proposed legislation, certain penalties would no longer apply to pregnant women who choose to terminate their pregnancies. Specifically, women who provide consent for an abortion and dispose of the fetal remains in a sanitary manner would not face punishment. Furthermore, the mother of a child who is born alive would also be exempt from penalties.
It’s worth noting that the existing law already includes some exceptions, such as cases where the mother’s life is at risk. Abortions in pregnancies resulting from rape or incest are also permitted until the 15th week, provided the woman has proper documentation.
This particular provision regarding rape and incest has been regarded by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as sensible. However, it is important to acknowledge that the bill filed by Senator Book aims to address the broader issue of penalties faced by pregnant mothers as a whole.
Senator Book has been actively vocal about the importance of protecting women’s healthcare rights. In April, she was one of the 11 protestors arrested during an abortion demonstration in Tallahassee. Speaking to the Guardian at the time, she expressed her concerns, stating, It’s a scary time. Women are being put in very, very dangerous situations to get the healthcare they need.
The protest in Tallahassee was in response to SB 300, which sought to ban abortions after six weeks. Despite the demonstration, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law a few days later. The charges against Senator Book were eventually dropped after two months.
If SB 34 were to become law, it would take effect immediately upon being signed. As it stands, the bill represents a step toward protecting the rights of pregnant mothers in the state of Florida.
