Scott Urged To 'Reflect' For 24 Hours On Abortion Bill
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/NSF) --Planned Parenthood sent a letter to Florida Governor Rick Scott urging him to reflect on a bill that would make women wait 24 hours before getting an abortion.
"I am writing to you to request that you meet with a Planned Parenthood doctor to learn first-hand about what happens when a woman comes to one of our health centers for an abortion, then reflect for at least 24 hours before deciding whether to sign or veto this legislation,''
Barbara Zdravecky, of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, wrote in the letter to Scott.
The House sent the bill (HB 633) to Scott on Tuesday, which means he has until June 10th to take action.
Planned Parenthood lobbied against the bill during this spring's legislative session, arguing in part that it could limit access to abortions for some women, including women in rural areas who have to travel long distances to clinics. But the arguments gained little traction in the Republican-controlled Legislature, with the bill's supporters saying a waiting period would help ensure women are making the right decisions before having abortions.
In the letter Friday to Scott, Zdravecky raised the possibility of a constitutional challenge to the measure. "This bill is not only intrusive and judgmental, it may also be unconstitutional,'' the letter said. "Legislators have raised concerns throughout the legislative process that this bill violates Floridians' constitutional right to privacy and would be found to be unconstitutional and overturned if you sign it into law."
(The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.)
