Florida Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights has been trying every year since 2010 to introduce anti-abortion legislation; however, his proposals have never advanced to consideration by a committee. Monday Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, the chairman of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee has agreed to consider the bill.
By an 8-3 vote Monday afternoon, a House criminal justice panel voted to advance the more sweeping piece of legislation (HB 865), which would make performing an abortion or operating an abortion clinic a first-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Van Zant considers unborn babies citizens of the state of Florida and recommends they are allowed the same protections by law as other citizens. His “Florida for Life Act” would make it a first-degree felony for “any person who induces an abortion or performs, attempts to perform, or assists another in the performance of an induced abortion on another person.” Under this bill the only exception that would allow abortion would be to save the life of the mother.
It is likely the US Supreme Court would eradicate this legislation, were it to pass, given that they affirmed Roe v. Wade once more on Monday by striking down a North Dakota Law in Federal Appeals Court.
