The fate of the proposed amendment to the state’s constitution, that will add a right to abortion before the point of “viability,” has been decided. The validity of the amendment (overly vague, broad and misleading) was challenged, and the Florida Supreme Court recently ruled that the proposed abortion amendment will be allowed to be on the ballot this November. At the same time, the Florida Supreme Court handed down a ruling on a separate case regarding abortion, in which Planned Parenthood and the ACLU challenged the constitutionality of the state’s 15-week abortion limit. The Court ruled that the 15-week gestational limitation abortion law is constitutional and does not violate the right to privacy. This ruling likely paves the way for other legislation that protects mothers and their children.
The abortion amendment that will be voted on by the citizens of Florida in November will erase current pro-life protections, could eliminate parental consent and safety protocols for women and girls, and allow for abortions later in pregnancy if a woman’s doctor deems it necessary to end the life of her child. An article in the Tallahassee Democrat suggests that this amendment is intended to enshrine unregulated abortion in the state constitution. Abortion facilities should be licensed and meet medically appropriate health and safety standards. Yet, according to Americans United for Life, Florida’s abortion facilities have a history of deficiencies and substandard abortion care. “Women will suffer under the proliferation of unregulated abortion in Florida if the amendment is adopted. As Justice Francis noted, the amendment seeks to eliminate ‘any meaningful, future participation by the Legislature,’ which would be prohibited from enacting new laws to respond to growing evidence of abortion’s medical harms.”
The initiative will require at least 60% approval from voters. For more information and the latest statement by the Florida Bishops click here.
