On March 7, House Republicans released HB 7, a bill to further restrict women’s access to abortion. The bill prohibits abortions after 6 weeks, a move from HB 5 (2022) which placed a 15-week limit on abortion. It also prohibits the use of state funds to aid individuals to travel to another state to receive an abortion and mandates reporting to the Department of Health.
“HB 7 is a gross overreach and infringement of Florida women’s right to privacy and to make the choices that are right for their health and the well-being of their families,” stated Representative Daryl Campbell (D-Fort Lauderdale). “Every year we come back to further restrictions, against doctors’ recommendations. They are forcing women to go to extreme measures for the right to make a decision about their own body. When will the respect for a woman’s right be valued? This has never been about where life begins. It is about a legislature led by a male majority, implementing laws controlling women. This bill aims to create a Florida where women do not own the rights to their body, where is the FREEDOM in that? I cannot imagine raising a daughter in a world where she will have to fight for simple bodily autonomy. I am committed to fighting this bill at every step.”
