South Florida Republican Wants New Limits On Abortion
MIAMI (CBSMiami/NSF) - A South Florida state senator has filed a proposal that could begin refueling abortion debates for the 2012 legislative session, and already the criticism has started from supporters of 'reproductive rights.
Senate Bill 290, filed by Miami Republican Anitere Flores, includes a series of proposed abortion restrictions that address issues such as a waiting period, fetal viability and clinic ownership.
Among other things, it says certain requirements would have to be met at least 24 hours before women could have abortions. One of those proposed requirements is that women would undergo ultrasounds. Also, the bill seeks to expand part of state law that already prevents third-trimester abortions to apply to abortions "after the period at which, in the best medical judgment of the physician, the fetus has attained viability.''
The bill would also require that doctors or physician groups own and operate any new abortion clinics licensed after July 1, 2012.
Flores' bill comes after abortion debates played a controversial role during the 2011 session. The Republican-controlled Legislature passed four abortion measures, including requiring ultrasounds and tightening a law that requires parents to be notified before minors can have abortions.
The Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates released a statement blasting Flores' bill as "part of a highly coordinated attack on women's health care access across the country.''
