Florida greatly tightened the law on abortion: rape and incest are not a reason for exceptions

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Anti-Abortion Act on April 14. Under the new rules, this procedure is prohibited after 15 weeks of pregnancy - with no exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking. Writes about it CNN.

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The law, which takes effect on July 1, allows exceptions in cases where: the pregnancy poses a “serious risk” to the mother; if two doctors confirm a serious diagnosis in writing; if a fatal fetal anomaly is detected.

Florida has become the latest Republican-led state to introduce a bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. In addition, the Kentucky legislature overturned Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's veto on an abortion bill that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. And in Oklahoma, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law that makes abortion illegal in the state, except for medical emergencies.

The US Supreme Court is ready to uphold a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The fate of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, also hangs in the balance, and anti-abortion activists hope the court's conservative majority will overturn it.

On the subject: Texas introduced the toughest abortion law in the United States: reward for denouncing violators

Previously, Florida allowed second-trimester abortions, making it a late-term abortion state. Abortion advocates say many women from neighboring states often traveled to Florida for the procedure, meaning changes to Florida law will have an impact across the region.

Florida had 2019 abortions in 71, or 914 per 18,5 women, the third-highest rate in the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“We are here to protect those who cannot defend themselves,” DeSantis said. "This will be the most significant life protection we've seen in a generation."

Just days before the law was signed in Florida, another controversial abortion issue was resolved. A district court judge in Tallahassee ruled that at least 24 hours must elapse before an abortion after seeing a doctor. This lawsuit lasted 7 years.

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The state Senate passed the bill on March 15 over objections from Democrats who shared the painful and emotional stories of women who have had an abortion after trauma. State Senator Lauren Book, a Democrat and minority party leader, told colleagues she was a victim of rape and pleaded with lawmakers to make an exception for women who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault.

She burst into tears when Republicans, who have a majority in the House, rejected the proposed amendment.

US President Joe Biden called Florida's new abortion restriction "dangerous legislation that will severely limit women's access to reproductive health services."

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