Florida’s abortion regulations are about to change. In a 6-1 decision on Monday, the Florida Supreme Court maintained the 15-week abortion restriction that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had signed into law in April 2022, according to the Associated Press.
The ruling permits the prohibition on abortions performed beyond six weeks of pregnancy to go into force on May 1.
“Based on our analysis finding no clear right to abortion embodied within the Privacy Clause, Planned Parenthood cannot overcome the presumption of constitutionality and is unable to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the 15-week ban is unconstitutional,” the court’s judgment from Monday states.
NBC News reports that while though DeSantis first signed the six-week ban in April 2023, the state Supreme Court declared that it would stay in effect until the court made a decision regarding the initial challenge to the 15-week ban.
In a press release at the time, DeSantis stated, “I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families.”
According to a separate decision on Monday, Florida citizens will have the opportunity to vote on an amendment protecting abortion rights on the state’s November ballot, even though the six-week ban will now go into force in 30 days.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)’s Kara Gross, Legislative Director and Senior Policy Counsel, issued a statement following the court decisions on Monday, stating that they will have “catastrophic implications for the people of Florida.”
“The burden of restricting abortion access will fall hardest on people who already face systemic racism and discrimination in this country. Despite today’s ruling, we will not stop fighting for Floridians to have access to essential reproductive care,” as per her statement.
Florida has “consistently ignored the will of the people,” she claimed, and she urged citizens to cast ballots in November.
