Restrictive abortion bill introduced in Florida mirrors controversial Texas law

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House Bill 167 was tabled by Florida State Representative Webster Barnaby. The bill, like the Texas law, contains a procedural provision that allows individuals to sue physicians who perform abortions after six weeks as well as anyone who “knowingly engages in conduct that aids or encourages performing or inducing an abortion. Florida law, like Texas law, also provides for remedies and damages.
Barnaby’s introduction of the bill comes weeks after the United States Supreme Court allowed Texas law to come into force and days after a state doctor – who publicly said violating the ban – was hit with at least two legal proceedings. against him under the ban. Both lawsuits are brought by plaintiffs who say they oppose the new law but are eager to bring the challenge to a judge.

Notably, the Florida bill allows lawsuits for up to six years after an abortion has been performed in violation of the law, while supporters of the Texas law say the measure creates a window of four years to prosecute.

Additionally, the way HB 167 is worded makes it extremely difficult to challenge the ban until it goes into effect, and even then there are high hurdles.

NARAL Pro-Choice America says he is “horrified to see anti-choice politicians in Florida following in Texas’ footsteps.”

“There is no doubt that anti-reproductive freedom lawmakers in other states will do the same,” Adrienne Kimmell, the group’s interim chair, said in a statement. “The harm from these draconian attacks cannot be overstated and they have a more acute impact on those who already face the greatest barriers to accessing care.”

The group said lawmakers in 10 states have made it clear that they plan to introduce Texas-like bills in their own state houses. These states are Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America .

A source who is coordinating with other states on drafting similar legislation said that while some attempts would fail, he expected at least 10 states to make serious efforts to enact bills. similar to those in Texas.

CNN has contacted Barnaby’s office for comment.

After the Supreme Court allowed the Texas law to come into effect earlier this month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters he supported more restrictions on abortion, saying: “I am pro-life. I welcome pro-life legislation.”

“What they did in Texas was interesting,” said the Republican governor at the time. “I’m going to take it a little more seriously.”

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