Bill > H1573

This bill modifies Florida's existing law regarding pregnancy terminations by making several key changes. First, it revises the definition of "fatal fetal abnormality" to mean a terminal condition that, in reasonable medical judgment, is incompatible with prolonged life outside the womb and will likely result in death, removing the previous language about death occurring upon or immediately after birth. Second, the bill changes the requirements for medical exceptions to pregnancy termination after 6 weeks of gestation, reducing the number of physicians required to make medical determinations from two to one. Specifically, a single physician can now certify that a termination is necessary to save or prolong the pregnant woman's life or avert a serious risk of substantial physical impairment or morbidity of a major bodily function. The bill also modifies the criteria for determining fatal fetal abnormalities, allowing one physician to certify the condition instead of two. Other provisions remain unchanged, such as exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, or human trafficking, which still allow termination up to 15 weeks with appropriate documentation. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and represents a further refinement of Florida's existing abortion regulations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1573