As of January 2025, there have been major changes to Florida abortion laws. We are disheartened by the ongoing attacks to reproductive healthcare in Florida and nationwide, as we see the harm and devastation it causes our patients and their families. Our outrage only fuels our dedication to providing the best care we can by offering every abortion option we are legally able. Brief information about the new law is listed below, but we understand this is complex and overwhelming. We are available to you by the chat feature on our website, as well as by phone at (561) 686-3859.

The Heartbeat Protection Act, aka the Six Week Ban

Florida enacted the Heartbeat Protection Act on May 1, 2024, banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. This law was passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in April 2023. It offers exceptions only in the following circumstances:

• Rape, incest and human trafficking up to 15 weeks
• Fetal abnormality before the third trimester
• Health of the pregnant person at any stage of pregnancy.

Specific documentation is required to be eligible for abortion under one of these exceptions. Presidential Women’s Center stands ready to answer questions regarding the required documents and help you access the care you deserve.

The Harmful Impacts

The restrictive nature of Florida’s abortion law has had profound effects on women’s health and access to reproductive services. Many women, unaware of their pregnancies at six weeks, have found themselves unable to obtain legal abortions within the state. Traveling to another state is costly and time consuming, so this law places extreme burden on those with lower income, demanding jobs and/or young children.

The six-week ban faced legal challenges but the Florida Supreme Court ruled in its favor, allowing the six-week ban to take effect. The court also approved Amendment 4, a ballot initiative in the November 2024 election that would have restored and protected the right to abortion up to fetal viability in the state constitution. Despite receiving 57% of the vote, the amendment failed to meet the 60% threshold required for passage, leaving the six-week ban in place. We are grateful for the work so many put into this initiative.

Governor DeSantis is proposing new legislation that would all but kill any future ballot initiatives.  The proposed law would force anyone choosing to sign an Amendment petition to sign at the Supervisor of Elections’ Office.  This would completely eliminate canvassing efforts and make it exponentially harder for people to take part in this democratic process.