On election day, November 5, 2024, Florida’s Amendment 4—the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion”—failed to gain the 60% majority needed for it to pass. So you may now be wondering what happens to abortion rights in the State of Florida after this outcome. We want to make sure you are fully informed about abortion laws in our state and how they can affect your pregnancy decisions.
Because Amendment 4 did not pass, the laws that were in place at the time of the election remain in place. On May 1, 2024, SB 300 was passed, making abortion illegal after six weeks of pregnancy in Florida. That law still stands today.
It is also important to know that the exceptions that were written into the law are also still in place today. Leading up to the election, there were many conflicting messages about what the six-week bill allows and does not allow. So we want to clear that up for you as well.
The 6-week abortion ban does limit abortions in our state, but it also has several exceptions that allow women to have an abortion after six weeks:
- When a doctor determines a woman’s life is at risk and an abortion is needed to save her life
- When a doctor determines a woman has a serious risk to her physical health
- The baby has a fatal fetal abnormality (a condition that will cause it to die)
- If the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest, or human trafficking and the pregnancy is not more than 15 weeks
Additionally, there are other measures written into the law to protect women from harm when seeking an abortion:
- Abortions must be performed or dispensed by a licensed physician
- An ultrasound must be performed to determine the gestational age of the fetus
Finally, the following laws also remain in place related to abortion:
- If you are under 18 years old, you must get parental permission to get an abortion.
- After visiting an abortion provider, you must wait 24 hours before having the procedure or receiving the medication.
We understand that all of this information can be overwhelming when you are already facing the challenges that come with an unexpected pregnancy. That is why we are here to help you. At A Woman’s Choice, we provide medical services and a consultation with one of our Clinic Nurses to help you know exactly where you are in your pregnancy and what your options are in light of the current laws. You don’t have to go through this alone. We are here to help.
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