The Florida Legislature, with a Republican majority, approved this Thursday the ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
The initiative was supported by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, in the middle of the presidential race of who may be Donald Trump's main opponent.
Almost at midnight, the governor signed the law that changed the current regulations in Florida and that until now prohibited abortions after 15 weeks, the agency reported. AP.
This is how DeSantis won a key political victory among voters ahead of the Republican primaries, as he prepares to launch a presidential candidacy, based on his national brand as a conservative standard-bearer.
The measure also had broader implications for access to abortion throughout the south of the country in the wake of the US Supreme Court's decision last year to overturn Roe v. Wade, a 1973 court case that ruled that the Constitution protects a pregnant woman's freedom to choose an abortion without excessive government restrictions. Since then, decisions on access to abortion have been in the vortex of state litigation.
Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi banned abortion at all stages of pregnancy, while Georgia censored the procedure after cardiac activity could be detected, which is around six weeks.
“We have an opportunity to lead the national conversation about the importance of protecting life and giving every child the opportunity to be born and find their purpose,” said Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who passed the bill in the House.
Democrats and pro-choice groups said Florida's proposal would ban almost all terminations because many women still didn't realize they were pregnant at six weeks.
The bill contains some exceptions, including to save a woman's life.
Abortions of pregnancies involving rape or incest would be allowed up to 15 weeks, as long as the woman had relevant documentation, such as a restraining order or police report.
This exception was called sensible by DeSantis.
The medications used in induced abortions, which constitute the majority of those provided nationally, could only be dispensed in person or by a physician, according to the Florida bill.
Florida's six-week ban would go into effect only if the state's current 15-week ban were upheld in an ongoing legal challenge before the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservatives.
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