On May 1, Florida health regulators officially enforced a six-week abortion ban, which was originally a 15-week abortion restriction placed into effect by the overturning of Roe v. Wade in July 2022.
Abortions in Florida currently remain legal, people cannot have a legal abortion beyond six weeks of pregnancy, although there are certain exceptions. These exceptions include: ectopic pregnancies, trophoblastic tumors –– a tumor that forms where the placenta and uterus attach –– rape, incest and induced deliveries to treat premature rupture of membranes in which the fetus does not survive.
However, healthcare workers are still barred from performing abortions if a pregnancy is considered nonviable and may become deadly.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the abortion ban on April 13, 2023, but it did not take full effect until May 1. In the November 5 election, Florida voters will be able to choose whether or not to reverse the abortion ban in Florida.
