Ryan Ray
The Florida arm of the American Civil Liberties Union has harsh words for a new bill circulating in the Legislature that would make getting an abortion more difficult.
HB 233 is a GOP-sponsored bill that would require abortion clinics to be near – and have admitting privileges to – a hospital. Similar proposals based on model legislation have been approved elsewhere in the nation, causing legal and political controversy.
State ACLU director of public policy Michelle Richardson said the proposal is both bad for Florida women and unconstitutional.
“The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida strongly opposes this bill, which is part of a nationwide movement to limit access to safe and legal abortions. These types of laws targeting abortion clinics for medically unnecessary restrictions are opposed by the American Medical Association and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,” Richardson said.
She added that efforts in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin have hit opposition by judges, and HB 233 is no different.
“In Texas in 2014, a similar bill passed and is under review by the U.S. Supreme Court and oral arguments will be held on March 2nd, with a ruling expected this summer. Even while that law is limbo, the effects on women’s health have been devastating – the overwhelming majority of clinics in Texas have closed,” said Richardson. “The Florida Legislature’s actions are imprudent, wasteful and unconstitutional – there is simply no compelling reason to move forward with this legislation until the Supreme Court rules.”
The bill passed the House Health Innovation Subcommittee Tuesday on a 9-4 vote along party lines. HB 233 is sponsored by Doral Rep. Carlos Trujillo.
