The House took up a bill Thursday that would ban disability abortions in Florida, readying the measure for debate and a floor vote.<\/p>\n
Sponsored by Republican Rep. Erin Grall, the bill (HB 1221)would prohibit a physician from performing an abortion if they know or should know that a womans decision to abort is based on a test result that suggests a disability.<\/p>\n
The bill makes exceptions for abortions deemed necessary to save a womans life. It also extends immunity to a woman if they violate or conspire to violate the provision.<\/p>\n
I believe that the state does have a compelling interest in making sure that abortions are not used as a form of modern-day eugenics, Grall told lawmakers on the House floor.<\/p>\n
Throughout the committee process, Democratic lawmakers have expressed staunch opposition to the measure.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, they questioned the bills intricacies including privacy concerns and possible impacts on minority and low-income women.<\/p>\n
They also questioned how the bill would be exercised if signed into law.<\/p>\n
In previous committees, Grall explained that a family member or medical worker could report an instance in which they believe an abortion violates the proposal.<\/p>\n
A complaint would be filed with law enforcement and law enforcement would be able to undergo an investigation and obtain evidence in the way that they would normally, Grall added Thursday.<\/p>\n
Democrats filed four amendments including one to make an exception for pregnancies related to rape and human trafficking.<\/p>\n
Republicans rejected all amendments.<\/p>\n
If passed, Florida would become the 10th state to ban disability abortions.<\/p>\n
Notably, legal challenges are ongoing in seven of the nine states with similar laws in place.<\/p>\n
According to a staff analysis, data on disability abortions is limited and not tracked by most states.<\/p>\n
However, retrospective analysis of abortions from 1995-2011 estimated that 67%-85% of women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome in the United States elect to abort the fetus, the staff analysis adds.<\/p>\n
If passed and signed into law, the bill would take effect on July 1.<\/p>\n
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Disability abortion bill teed up in House Rep. Erin Grall. - Florida Politics<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The House took up a bill Thursday that would ban disability abortions in Florida, readying the measure for debate and a floor vote. Sponsored by Republican Rep. Continue reading