Florida's 6-Week Abortion Ban Will Now Take Effect in 30 Days, Court Rules
Residents will have a chance to vote on an amendment to preserve abortion rights in the state's November ballot, per a separate ruling
Abortion laws will soon change in the state of Florida.
The Florida Supreme Court upheld a 15-week abortion ban that was signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in April 2022 in a 6-to-1 vote on Monday, per the Associated Press. The decision allows for a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy to take effect on May 1.
"Based on our analysis finding no clear right to abortion embodied within the Privacy Clause, Planned Parenthood cannot overcome the presumption of constitutionality and is unable to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the 15-week ban is unconstitutional," Monday's court opinion reads.
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Although DeSantis initially signed the six-week ban in April 2023, the state Supreme Court announced that it would remain blocked until the court ruled on the initial challenge to the 15-week ban, per NBC News.
"I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families," said DeSantis in a news release at the time.
Although the six-week ban will now take effect in 30 days, Florida residents will be given a chance to vote on an amendment to preserve abortion rights in the state's November ballot, per a separate ruling on Monday.
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Kara Gross, Legislative Director and Senior Policy Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), released a statement after Monday's court rulings, explaining that it will have "catastrophic implications for the people of Florida."
"The burden of restricting abortion access will fall hardest on people who already face systemic racism and discrimination in this country. Despite today's ruling, we will not stop fighting for Floridians to have access to essential reproductive care," her statement continued.
She said that the state of Florida has "consistently ignored the will of the people" and urged residents to go out and vote in November.
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"The freedom to make our own personal medical decisions without government interference is on the ballot this November, and we urge all Floridians to vote Yes on Amendment 4," read her statement.
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