Florida’s 15-week abortion ban moves forward

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s plan to follow Mississippi and ban virtually all abortions after 15-weeks took another step forward on Wednesday with the Senate Committee on Health Policy approving SB146 on a party-line vote.

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While the bill does make an exception for the life of the mother, it makes no exceptions for victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking.

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On Wednesday Sen. Lauren Book (D - Broward), a victim of sexual assault herself, attempted to amend the bill to add in an exception for these victims.

“It is not OK to force somebody if they have been sexually assaulted and impregnated to carry that baby to term if they don’t want to,” said Book arguing for her amendment.

But opponents, including a majority of members on the committee, dismissed the need for such an exception.

“The children that are conceived as a result of rape or incest or unfortunate human trafficking are innocent, the manner is irrelevant,” said Andrew Shirvell of the Florida Voice for the Unborn.

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Book’s amendment failed on a voice vote.

The Senate bill is identical to the HB5 the House’s 125-week abortion ban, which has also been quickly advancing through the committee process. Both bills mirror Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban which is being reviewed by the US Supreme Court.

“When Roe v. Wade was decided almost half a century ago, scientific knowledge of fetal development was very limited. We now know so much more about how a baby develops inside the mother’s womb,” said Sen Kelli Stargel (R - Polk) in a statement following the bill’s passage. “I support life, and believe we have a duty to protect it. This bill safeguards innocent, unborn children with beating hearts, who can move, taste, see, feel pain, and whose lives should be protected under the laws of this state.”

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The Senate bill now heads to Appropriations for its final committee stop, meanwhile the House version is slated to be heard in the Health & Human Services Committee.

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