Florida 15-Week Abortion Ban OK'd By Lawmakers, Sent To Governor

FLORIDA — A Florida bill banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign into law. Senate lawmakers voted to pass Senate Bill 146, also known as "The Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction Act," on a party-line vote Thursday.

DeSantis, a Republican, has previously signaled his support for the proposal and is expected to sign it into law.

"I’m supportive of 15 weeks. I think that’s very reasonable and I think that’s very consistent with being supportive of protecting life," he said in January at a news conference in southwest Florida. "We’ll work with them as they kind of get through that process, but I think that’ll be something that we would be able to sign, and I think a lot of people will be very happy with that.”

The Florida House first approved the Republican-backed 15-week abortion ban last month. The state currently allows abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Even as states such as Texas and now Florida move to restrict when abortions can be performed, doctors have said many women don't realize they're pregnant by 15 weeks, and some may not realize it until well into the second trimester.

The bill would ban most abortions regardless of the circumstances — including instances of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking.

SEE ALSO:

• 15-Week Abortion Ban Passed By FL House Wednesday: Report
• Florida Senate Panel Approves 15-Week Abortion Ban; No Exceptions For Rape, Incest, Human Trafficking
• Bill To End Abortions After 15 Weeks Advances In Florida Senate

The bill does, however, contain exceptions to the ban, including if the abortion is necessary to save a mother’s life, prevent serious injury to the mother or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

Florida Democrats have argued the bill is too restrictive and hinders a woman's right to choose. Sen. Lauren Book, a Democrat and victim of sexual assault, has strongly opposed the bill since its introduction.

"Survivors of rape, incest and human trafficking who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault have already had their bodily autonomy violated," she tweeted Wednesday. "They had NO choice in becoming pregnant. And should have EVERY SINGLE BIT OF CHOICE in what happens next."

"In these circumstances where choice has been taken at every single turn — when a woman or girl had NO choice in becoming pregnant — THIS choice MUST - MUST - MUST be a survivor’s and a survivor’s alone," she continued on Twitter.

In a separate exchange from when the bill passed the GOP-controlled House last month, Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy told lawmakers she previously had an abortion but has “regretted it every day since.”

“This is the right to life, and to give up life is unconscionable to me,” she said.

If DeSantis signs the bill into law, it would take effect July 1.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.