Florida Representative Looking to Follow Texas’s Lead, Files “Heartbeat” Abortion Bill

Florida Representative Webster Barnaby (R) has filed the “Florida Heartbeat Act,” legislation that would prohibit abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, only allowing them to be performed if the mother’s life is in danger.

The bill would empower citizens to sue anyone who induces or performs an abortion against the bill’s guidelines.

The Florida measure essentially mirrors a Texas law that went into effect after the Supreme Court voted 5-4 not to block its implementation, saying abortion providers had not met the burden required for a stay of the law.

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It prohibits virtually all abortions after a heartbeat is detected, which is typically after six weeks of pregnancy and empowers citizens to file lawsuits against abortion providers suspected of violating the new policy.

The law, referred to as a “fetal heartbeat bill,” would also allow citizens to file lawsuits against abortion providers suspected of violating the new policy.

Alan Herrera

Alan is a writer, editor, and news junkie based in New York.