abortion

In a case that could have a dramatic impact on women’s reproductive rights, the Florida Supreme Court on Friday heard arguments in a constitutional challenge to a 2022 state law that prevents abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The 600,000 signatures garnered so far means the proposed constitutional amendment can go before the Florida Supreme Court for review.

On Friday, justices will hear a challenge to a law banning abortions in most cases after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The decision will determine whether a six-week ban can take effect.

The state is requiring the Center of Orlando for Women to pay a $1,000 fine for each of 193 violations of the state's 24-hour waiting period law.

The numbers from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration come amid a legal battle about the future of abortion rights in the state.

It’s been a little longer than a year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade—turning decisions about abortion access over to individual states. In that time, Florida has enacted a law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, passed a 6-week ban that remains pending, and prepared to challenge a privacy clause in the state constitution that has, in the past, been found to protect abortion rights. Now, advocates are working to put language in the state constitution that explicitly protects abortion access.

Florida implemented one abortion ban after Dobbs and plans to enforce even harsher restrictions, pending a lawsuit. Abortion rights supporters say that has caused fear and endangered lives.

The fate of abortion rights in Florida is in the hands of the state Supreme Court. The decision hinges on whether abortion is protected under the Florida Constitution.

Voters could be asked to support abortion rights through viability in the 2024 election, but the Floridians Protecting Freedom coalition has to meet tough requirements to get the item on the ballot.

Abortion laws in Florida are approaching the restrictiveness they had in Latin America before the 'green wave' legalized the procedure in Argentina, Colombia and other catholic countries.