New law signed by Republican governor Ron DeSantis rules that pregnant women in Florida must show proof of rape or incest if they want an abortion after six weeks.
Additionally, if the life of the mother is at risk then two physicians must certify that in writing before a pregnancy can be terminated.
Those are just some of the heavy restrictions in the law that Ron DeSantis signed on Thursday, which bans abortions after six weeks – one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.
The ban makes exceptions for life of the mother and for cases of rape or incest – but only under certain, specific conditions.
The abortion issue has become a national one – particularly after a Texas judge reversed the FDA approval of the popular abortion pill mifepristone.
The Supreme Court ordered a stay on that decision on Friday as the ruling is being challenged in court.
But, across the country, states are enacting abortion bans.
Florida joins a dozen others in banning them after six weeks, which is essentially an outright ban given that most women do not realize they are pregnant until after that point.
The restrictions and exceptions in Florida’s law include:
- Two doctors have to certify in writing that an abortion is necessary to save the woman’s life or avert a serious risk health risk. This does not include mental health aspects of a woman’s life.
If two doctors are not available, one would have to certify in writing that there is a medical necessity and no other doctor is available.
In the case of rape or incest, when a woman schedules or arrives for her abortion, she must provide a copy of a restraining order, police report, medical record or other court order or documentation proving her victim status.
Abortions are allowed if the pregnancy has not progressed to the third trimester and two doctors certify in writing that the fetus has a fatal fetal abnormality.
Abortion pills must be disbursed in person by physicians, prohibiting abortions over telehealth visits and prohibiting the delivery of abortion pills by mail.
Violating the law is a felony of the third degree.
Florida already had a ban on abortions after six weeks.
