JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law legislation banning virtually all abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, shortening Florida’s current 24-week window by roughly two months.
The bill technically does not take effect until July 1, but the clock is already ticking for Florida women who want abortions.
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Governor Ron DeSantis signed the 15-week ban into law Thursday morning, touting it as part of his family-first agenda.
“This is will represent the most significant protections for life that have been enacted in this state in a generation,” said DeSantis.
Women who got pregnant as far back as January 14 will not be able to abort that pregnancy after July 1, and those who got pregnant after March 18 will be the first group subjected to the 15-week cutoff.
The law mirrors Mississippi’s 15-week ban, which is currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“With no exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking, its impacts will be incredibly damaging,” said State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando).
Eskamani calls the wave of abortion laws being imposed in red states a coordinated effort.
“Because of the national agenda by conservatives to ban abortion in this country, if you wish to seek an abortion after 15 weeks, your closest option will likely be North Carolina,” said Eskamani.
And short of a conservative-leaning Supreme Court ruling against Mississippi’s law, the only path for abortion advocates to challenge Florida’s new law will likely be through state courts.
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“We’re very unique as a state that has an enumerated right to privacy in our state constitution. So I do suspect the litigation strategy here will be a state one, and it will bring to question the strength and the interpretation of Florida’s right to privacy,” said Eskamani.
There’s no guarantee this law will be blocked, even by state courts.
Just last week, a circuit court judge allowed a 24-hour wait period for abortions to take effect, signaling the courts may be looking more favorably on abortion restrictions than they have in the past.