By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Florida legislators are proposing a pro-life bill similar to Texas?
Last Wednesday, a bill regarding abortion entitled, the “Florida Heartbeat Act” was filed by Florida House member, Webster Barnaby.
According to the Barnaby, an African-American and Republican representative from Deltona, this proposed bill will allow physicians to be fined at least $10,000. for performing abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
The bill also requires a physician to conduct a test for, and inform a woman seeking an abortion of the presence of detectable heartbeat of a child. It also prohibits doctors from performing or inducing an abortion if a baby’s heartbeat is detected, or if a physician fails to conduct a test to detect a fetal heartbeat.
Exceptions are included in the proposed bill for rape, incest, domestic violence, human trafficking, or a condition that is “threatening” to the mother. However, if the bill does become law, women who are seeking an abortion due to exceptions, require documentation such as a restraining order, medical records, or a court order to legally terminate the pregnancy.
There is no law enforcement provision included in the bill. However, anyone outside of a government employee can file a lawsuit against someone who performs an abortion when a baby’s heartbeat can be detected, as well as anyone who aids or “aids or abets” an abortion, including “paying for or reimbursing the costs of an abortion through insurance or otherwise.” This payment would apply regardless of whether the person knew or should have known that the abortion would be performed or induced, according the bill’s language.