The Florida Supreme Court upheld the state’s 15-week abortion ban Monday, which triggered a tougher ban.
The Heartbeat Protection Act was signed by Florida Gov. Ron Desantis in April last year. That law would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
It also provides exceptions for cases of rape, incest or human trafficking if the unborn child is younger than 15 weeks.
That law now goes into effect on May 1.
Florida House Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka joined other Republican legislators on a Zoom conference Monday to comment on the high court’s rulings.
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“In Florida, we not only value life, but we have taken proactive steps to support our mothers, to support our families through the entire pregnancy and well after birth,” Persons-Mulicka said.
Under the new law, the Florida Department of Health would assist parents and pregnant mothers who voluntarily seek support.
They’re eligible for this support up to 12 months after the birth of a child.
That includes items like clothing, diapers and car seats.
In addition, counseling, education materials and classes involving pregnancy, parenting, adoption, life skills and employment readiness would be made available using state funds.
The law’s text shows state funds will no longer be allowed to go toward helping women travel to another state to receive an abortion unless the woman’s life is at risk or the funds are federally required.
If a woman wants to travel from Florida for an abortion, the closest state she can go to is either Virginia or Illinois.
All of the southern states either banned or plan to ban abortion entirely for up to six weeks.
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