TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Lawmakers in the Florida House of Representatives voted 70-40 Thursday to pass a bill that would ban abortions in the state after six weeks. Senate Bill 300 aligns with other measures coming through the legislature of Republican-led states.

The bill passed the state Senate on April 3, and the amended Senate bill replaced companion bill HB 7 on the House floor. There were several proposed amendments to the measure, but all failed in voting on Thursday. 

The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis who is expected to sign it. 


What You Need To Know

  • Florida currently has a 15-week ban on abortion, though the law is currently being challenged in court

  • For women who qualify for an abortion, SB 300 would require them to see a doctor in-person, banning the shipment of abortion bills through telehealth providers

  • The bill offers some exemptions, including if it is medically necessary to save a woman's life

Under the bill, women may receive an abortion after six weeks if their life is at risk, with two doctors certifying in writing that an abortion is necessary to save the woman’s life or prevent an irreversible impairment of bodily function.

The bill also provides exemptions in cases of rape or incest up to 15 weeks of gestation.

Women who are eligible for an abortion are required to see a doctor in-person, rather than receive an abortion pill through the mail. The abortion pill access is currently playing out in the federal court system.

Republican House Speaker Paul Renner said the bill is a reflection of the will of the voters.

“Whether you agree with six weeks, eight weeks, or 10 weeks, it does at least reflect the democratic process," he said. "And states like California and others will have a different standard, and different values that best represent where their voters are. And that’s where we’ve landed."

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried has been a vocal opponent of the bill and was recently arrested after protesting against it near the Florida Capitol.

“We thought this was settled law — we thought that we had these rights," she said. "But all of a sudden, because of one man, because of his ambitions to be president of the United States — 75% of us have to fall whim to his ambitions."