Florida

Florida’s abortion policies are more restrictive than those in many other states. The state has unconstitutional and unenforceable criminal bans on abortion, and limits procedures past 24 weeks from the woman’s last menstrual period except in cases where the life and physical (but not mental) health of the woman is endangered. A later abortion must also be both approved and attended by a second physician. A violation of the laws is considered a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Providers are required to report all known violations to the Department of Health. Florida also subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions not applied to other medical professionals via Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws. Additionally, Florida allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide women abortions.

Restrictions: 
Unconstitutionally limits abortion by gestational age after viability
Prohibits later abortion except to preserve a woman's life or health (physical or mental)
Requires second physician in attendance to treat a fetus if it is born alive
Requires second physician to certify necessity of abortion

Florida

Enacted legislation:

Florida’s abortion policies are more restrictive than those in many other states. The state has unconstitutional and unenforceable criminal bans on abortion, and limits procedures past 24 weeks from the woman’s last menstrual period except in cases where the life and physical (but not mental) health of the woman is endangered. A later abortion must also be both approved and attended by a second physician. A violation of the laws is considered a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Providers are required to report all known violations to the Department of Health. Florida also subjects abortion providers to burdensome restrictions not applied to other medical professionals via Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws. Additionally, Florida allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide women abortions.

Pending legislation:

In January 2019, Florida Representative Walter Bryan Hill (R-001) pre-filed H 235 to ban abortions upon detection of fetal heartbeat. It is the most severe gestational ban to ever be introduced in the state and contains bias counseling requirements which include offering the patient to view and hear the fetal heartbeat and telling the patient about the “probability of survival.” The legislation contains exceptions for rape, health, and life of the pregnant person.

Restrictions: Unconstitutionally limits abortion by gestational age after viability | Prohibits later abortion except to preserve a woman's life or health (physical or mental) | Requires second physician in attendance to treat a fetus if it is born alive | Requires second physician to certify necessity of abortion