The legislation would make performing an abortion after six weeks a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Florida state lawmakers on Tuesday introduced legislation that would ban abortion after six weeks, when many women don’t know they are pregnant, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies and cases of rape and incest.
The legislation, introduced in Florida’s House and Senate, would make performing an abortion after six weeks a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
The legislation allows abortion in cases of rape and incest, but only up to the 15th week of pregnancy as determined by a physician. The woman is required to provide evidence that she is the victim of rape or incest at the appointment where she will have the abortion by providing a copy of a restraining order, police report, medical report or other court documentation.
Abortion is also allowed in severe medical emergencies, with the condition that two physicians certify in writing that the pregnant woman’s life is in danger or she faces a serious risk of substantial impairment to a bodily function. In instances where a second doctor is not available for consultation, one physician can make that call.
