TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A proposal that would tighten restrictions on abortion clinics is on the move in both chambers of the Florida legislature.
The bill would ban the sale and donation of fetal parts and increase the penalties for improperly disposing of them. It would also ban state agencies, local governments, and Medicaid managed-care plans from contracting with groups affiliated with abortion clinics. Opponents like Missy Wesolowski of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates say the bill would force a number of clinics to close.
Wesolowski says, “We are disappointed that the Senate is picking up this very controversial bill. This bill is medically unnecessary. It is 12 pages of targeted regulations of abortion providers.”
The House version has passed its committees and is poised for a floor vote. The Senate bill passed its second committee on Wednesday on a straight party-line vote and has one more stop.
