Florida’s abortion regulations will soon change.
The Florida Supreme Court upheld a 15-week abortion restriction signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in April 2022 in a 6-to-1 decision on Monday, according to the Associated Press. The judgment authorizes a ban on abortion after 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 ruling says on Monday.
Although DeSantis signed the six-week restriction in April 2023, the state Supreme Court said it would be suspended until the court determined the initial challenge to the 15-week ban, according to NBC News.
“I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families,” DeSantis said in a news release at the time.
Although the six-week ban will now take effect in 30 days, Florida people will have the opportunity to vote on an amendment to protect abortion rights on the state’s November ballot, according to a separate order on Monday.
Kara Gross, Legislative Director and Senior Policy Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), issued a statement following Monday’s court rulings, stating that they will have “catastrophic implications for the people of Florida.”
“Restricting abortion access will disproportionately affect people who already face systematic racism and discrimination in this country. Despite today’s verdict, we will continue to battle for Floridians’ access to important reproductive care,” she said.
She claimed that the state of Florida had “consistently ignored the will of the people” and encouraged locals to vote in November.
“The freedom to make our own personal medical decisions without government interference is on the ballot this November, and we urge all Floridians to vote Yes on Amendment 4,” she said in a statement.