Florida’s 24-hour wait law for abortions back in effect

Women seeking an abortion in Florida will now have to make an extra appointment before they can go through with the procedure after a circuit court judge upheld the state’s 24-hour wait period.

The law had been in legal limbo for seven years and this isn’t the first time the law has gone into effect.

Opponents call it an undue burden on a woman’s right to choose, but supporters say it gives women time to come to the choice that’s right for them.

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Sue MacKinnon is the Nurse Manager at A Woman’s Help Center on University Boulevard.

“It’s just my job to give them information so they can make the best decision for them,” said MacKinnon.

She’s worked at the center for six years and remembers when the 24-hour wait law took effect back in 2016.

“I think the 24-hour wait period has decreased the number of people who actually went through with the abortion. It also decreased probably the depression afterward because they had time to think about it,” said MacKinnon.

But next door at a Woman’s Choice, a Jacksonville abortion clinic, Vice President Amber Gavin told us the 24-hour delay often pushes procedures back more than a day due to work, childcare and financial conflicts.

“Sometimes they’re coming in on Monday and they can’t get their care until Friday or possibly even the next week,” said Gavin.

She fears those additional delays could soon be compounded by the 15-week abortion ban currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.

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“We’re talking about either one, forcing folks to carry an unwanted pregnancy term. Two, adoption, which again that’s a very personal and private decision that our politicians shouldn’t be interfering in. And if that’s the way that someone feels like that’s best for them again, that is an option. Or three, traveling out of state to access care. And again, the financial and logistical and emotional barriers to traveling out of state are huge and it’s not a privilege that a lot of people have,” said Gavin.

But MacKinnon argues even if a woman decides to go through with an abortion, a period of reflection can result in better outcomes.

“I do think it is going to give women the opportunity to take a deep breath, think of what they’re doing and make a decision that’s really best for them,” said MacKinnon.

The ACLU, which is a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the waiting period, told us it is still assessing the next steps for the litigation.

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