6-Week Abortion Ban—Now in Effect
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that established the right to abortion nearly 50 years ago, the legality of abortion can be determined on a state-by-state basis — opening the door for states to ban abortion entirely.
On April 1, 2024, the Florida Supreme Court upheld the state's 15-week abortion ban, triggering the 6-week ban to go into effect 30 days later on May 1, 2024. In compliance with the 6-week abortion ban, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida has stopped providing abortion care for patients who are more than 6 weeks pregnant, unless they meet one of the vaguely written, extremely limited, statutory exceptions. This means that millions of Floridians have been robbed of their freedom to make private medical decisions.
Patients who need abortion care and are past six-weeks pregnant can be navigated to other states with more access. Let us be clear, it is unconscionable that Floridians have to travel out-of-state to receive basic medical care.
Today and every day, Planned Parenthood will care for our patients. And we will never stop fighting for our freedom to make decisions about our bodies and our lives
We're sure you have lots of questions, so we've provided some answers below.
ABOUT THE IMPENDING 6-WEEK ABORTION BAN
Yes. Here in Florida, abortion is still legal, but as of May 1st, the 6-week abortion ban is in effect. Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida can no longer provide abortion care for patients who are more than 6 weeks pregnant, unless they meet a statutory exception.
No. It is illegal in Florida for anyone other than a doctor to perform an abortion.
Yes, abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy. The abortion bans being passed have nothing to do with patient health or safety.
Millions of people face unplanned pregnancies every year, and about 4 out of 10 of them decide to get an abortion.
Serious complications from abortion are really rare. Having an abortion doesn’t increase your risk for breast cancer or affect your fertility. It doesn’t cause problems for future pregnancies or pose any risk to your overall health.
Now that the 6-week abortion ban is in effect, patients who are more than 6 weeks pregnant can no longer receive an abortion in Florida, unless they meet a statutory exception. Six weeks is before many people even realize they are pregnant, so there is very little time to spare if you decide you want an abortion.
When patients come to us for care but are past the legal limit for getting an abortion in Florida, our Patient Navigators may be able to help them find care, depending on their needs and the resources available.
As always, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida will comply with the law, even when we believe it to be unjust and unconstitutional. We remain focused on providing safe, comprehensive care to as many patients as possible. We will continue to follow the law, adjust to these new restrictions, and assess the shifting litigation moment by moment.
Before 6 weeks of pregnancy, anyone in Florida can get an abortion. But, after 6 weeks of pregnancy, you can only receive an abortion in Florida if one of the below conditions is met:
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If you are less than 15 weeks pregnant and the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest, or human trafficking and you must present a copy of a restraining order, police report, medical record, or other court order or documentation.
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Two physicians certify that there is a fatal fetal abnormality
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The abortion is necessary to save the pregnant person’s life
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The abortion is necessary avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical injury to the pregnant person
Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida complies with all laws and regulations. We will connect patients with our Patient Navigator to coordinate their care out of state as needed.
Yes, in Florida abortion is still legal for everyone up to 6-weeks, after that there are very limited statutory exceptions.
When patients come to us for care but are past the legal limit for getting an abortion in Florida, our Patient Navigators may be able to help them navigate their care needs.
All of our health centers are open and providing care to ensure that patients have access to safe, legal abortion and the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care. Our health care team has been working to increase access to services to meet our patients’ needs.
Our Patient Navigators are working in partnership with other abortion providers throughout the United States to help patients get abortion care however we can.
We are working in partnership with Floridians Protecting Freedom and the Yes on 4 campaign, the citizen-led abortion ballot initiative Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion. If successful, this amendment will constitutionally protect Floridians’ freedom to access abortion. To learn how you can get involved with this group directly and support our efforts to protect abortion access, you can click here to visit FloridiansProtectingFreedom.com.
If you need abortion care, please make an appointment with Planned Parenthood or visit AbortionFinder.org.
We will continue to explore all options, and we will keep this page updated on the status of these laws and what they mean for you.
And we won't give up. Not now. Not ever.
Visit act.ppswcf.org to find ways you can help. We appreciate your support and couldn’t do this work without you!
Other Resources
If you want to learn more about the laws that affect access to abortion in Florida and other states or to find an abortion provider, check out the links below.
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