Fla. House Passes Ban On Abortions Based On Gender Or Race
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — The Florida House of Representatives has passed a new bill that bans abortions in the state that are based on an unborn child's gender or race.
The measure (HB 845) would make it a felony to perform sex- and race-selective abortions. It passed the House on a 71-44 vote Thursday.
The bill's prospects are uncertain in the Senate, where an identical bill is languishing with barely two weeks left in the session.
Supporters contend that abortions based on gender or race are becoming more common. Opponents describe the bill as an overreach into doctors' offices.
The bill would require abortion providers to sign an affidavit stating they had no knowledge the procedure was being done based on the unborn child's gender or race.
Four states prohibit sex-selective abortions, and one of those states also bans race-based abortions.
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