6-week abortion ban proposed in Florida

A proposal put forward in Florida would prohibit most abortions after the gestational age of the unborn child is more than six weeks — but the measure includes several exceptions to the 6-week ban.

An exception would be allowed if two doctors determine that the pregnancy must be terminated to save the mother's life or to avoid significant risk of "substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function" to the woman. An exception would also be allowed if there is no second physician available and a single doctor determines there is a need for emergency termination of the pregnancy to protect the mother's life or to avoid serious injury.

An exception would also be permitted if the pregnancy has not reached the third trimester and two doctors determine that the unborn child suffers from a "fatal fetal abnormality." A woman would also be able to obtain an abortion if the pregnancy is due to rape or incest and the gestational age of the child is not over 15 weeks.

Florida state law currently bans most abortions if the gestational age is more than 15 weeks.

Asked earlier this year whether he would sign a "6-week heartbeat bill," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) indicated that he is pro-life and that he will sign "good stuff" from the state legislature.

DeSantis is widely viewed as someone who could potentially mount a presidential election bid and challenge former President Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination.

Last year in a statement about the U.S. Supreme Court's move to overturn Roe v. Wade, DeSantis said that the majority had properly interpreted the Constitution. The governor vowed that Florida "will work to expand pro-life protections, and will stand for life by promoting adoption, foster care and child welfare."

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