Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act into law on Thursday, just hours after it received approval from the state legislature. The new law expands upon protections for unborn children, guaranteeing a right to life after a fetal heartbeat is detected–which can be as early as six weeks into the pregnancy. The legislation includes exceptions for rape and incest while authorizing millions of dollars in funding for pregnancy centers.
“Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families,” DeSantis tweeted Thursday evening, along with a photo of him rubber-stamping the law while surrounded by pro-life advocates.
A press statement from the governor’s office described the measures as “building a culture of life” and stated that,
“While other states like California and New York have legalized infanticide up until birth, Governor DeSantis has enacted historic measures to defend the dignity of human life and transform Florida into a pro-family state.”
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Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families. pic.twitter.com/quZpSj1ZPk
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 14, 2023
DeSantis signed off on the bill just hours after the Florida legislature approved it. It passed the Republican supermajority in the House by a vote of 70 to 40. Provided the Heartbeat Protection Act can withstand the impending legal hurdles, it would make it a third-degree felony for physicians or anyone to “actively participate in” an abortion that violates the law.
The law also provides “additional resources for young mothers and families,” and allocates $25 million to fund pregnancy centers across the state. That funding is in combination with this year’s “Framework for Freedom Budget,” which offers $96 million to support foster households and nearly $143 million to enhance maternal healthcare.
Following the bill’s passage, the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group issued a statement calling the new measures a “major win for babies and mothers.”
“Unborn babies are human beings with beating hearts at six weeks’ gestation. A heartbeat at this point indicates a greater than 90% chance of surviving to birth. The Heartbeat Protection Act reflects these scientific facts and the consensus of 62% of Floridians – including majorities of women and Independents – that these vulnerable children deserve protection.”
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Not all Republicans supported the bill, however, with some arguing that the six-week ban is too restrictive. Rep. Mike Caruso (R-Delray Beach) was one of seven such Republican lawmakers to vote ‘no’ on Thursday and told POLITICO earlier in the week,
“I don’t think the bill takes into consideration certain religious rights. And based on that, and some other things, I’m going to be down on the bill.”
Despite receiving the governor’s signature, the enforcement of the Heartbeat Protection Act still hangs in the balance as a lengthy legal battle over the state’s current 15-week ban remains ongoing. The 15-week ban, which DeSantis signed in April 2022, remains in effect as the lawsuit is expected to be brought before the Florida Supreme Court.
“We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida,” Governor DeSantis said in a statement following his signing of the bill. “I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families.”
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