SW News: The Senate of the US state of Florida has taken a firm pro-life move by banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. With SB 300, the Sunshine State moved closer to joining other US states in outlawing nearly all abortions. However, it will take effect only if the state's 15-week restriction is sustained in an ongoing legal dispute before the state Supreme Court.

This would necessitate the Supreme Court completely overturning or altering its current precedent, which ensures a right to abortion based on the right to privacy guaranteed by the Florida Constitution. The six-week abortion ban will go into effect 30 days after the Supreme Court rules in favor of the 15-week abortion ban. However, the statute will not be implemented if the court rules against it. While the court has permitted the 15-week abortion restriction to continue in effect while waiting for its final decision, pro-life advocates are hopeful that the court will reverse its existing precedent.

With a supermajority of Republicans in the Legislature, the legislation is anticipated to have no difficulties reaching Governor Ron DeSantis. The governor has signaled his support to sign the bill into law.

The bill introduced by Erin Grall reiterated a medically debatable assertion that baby heartbeats could be heard as early as six weeks of pregnancy, defending the proposal. The bill was passed in the Senate on April 3 in 26-13 party-line votes.

However, the proposal contains exceptions allowing abortions in rape and incest situations. In such cases, the women have to submit medical reports and the police report. In addition, termination of pregnancy is allowed when the mother's life or health, excluding psychological health, is in grave danger.

Under the proposal, a doctor might be charged with a third-degree crime, which carries a maximum five-year jail sentence, if he/she performs an abortion against the law. In addition, the medical professional could face up to 15 years in prison when an unlawful abortion results in the mother's death. This applies to those who actively take part in the procedure.