Florida Phoenix
Jackie Llanos
- A Republican backed bill moved through committee this week in Florida’s legislative session. HB 1517 grant fetuses the same rights as a person, opening the possibility of suing someone for “wrongful death” during development. The individual that is pregnant would not get sued, however their loved ones could be.
- House Republicans claim that this bill would not lead to a full abortion ban or to adverse outcomes for pregnant individuals, but Democrats state that it could give an opening for abusers to keep a hold over their victims and to ban abortion in its entirety.
- A bill like this one was dropped during the last legislative session. It is important to remember that the majority of Floridians want abortion to be legal in the state, and that parents can already sue for negligence surrounding a pregnancy loss.