WHAT IS THE ABORTION BILL IN FLORIDA 2023?

What Is The Abortion Bill In Florida 2023

Jul 14, 2024

The abortion ban bill, officially known as SB 300: Pregnancy and Parenting Support, or the “Heartbeat Protection Act,” was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in April of 2023.

But what does this law entail? And what does it mean for abortion access in Florida? Read on to learn more.

The Details

SB 300 essentially makes any abortion after six weeks illegal in Florida (previously, the limit was 15 weeks). It’s called the “Heartbeat Protection Act” because a heartbeat can be detected in the womb as early as six weeks, so this bill aims to protect a pregnancy beyond this point.

What The Act Prohibits

SB 300 forbids a physician from performing an abortion or dispensing abortion medications if the pregnancy is determined to be more than six weeks old. This means that the age of a pregnancy must be determined by ultrasound before an abortion can occur.
The bill also prohibits receiving abortion pills by mail; they must be sought in person and prescribed by a qualified physician.

However, the act does allow exceptions to the rule when the woman is seeking an abortion due to incest, rape, or human trafficking. These women can still access abortion when their pregnancies are up to 15 weeks old.

What The Act Encourages

The act goes beyond limiting abortions—it also encourages the expansion of pregnancy support services. It requires Florida’s Department of Health to manage and deliver parenting support services.

Under the act, women up to 12 months postpartum can receive counseling, mentoring, educational classes, and material assistance for childcare-related items, such as diapers, formula, clothing, etc.

What Does This Mean For Abortion Access In Florida?

At the time of writing this blog, SB 300, although signed into law, has not currently gone into effect. This is because a previous bill, HB 5: Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Act, is being challenged in court. HB 5 makes abortions after 15 weeks illegal. If this act is upheld, it will pave the way for SB 300 to take effect in Florida.

What If I’m Considering Abortion?

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed. At Coastal Choices Women’s Clinic, we understand what you’re going through, and we are here to help. You’re not alone in this. We offer no-cost pregnancy resources, including ultrasounds and pre-abortion screenings, that can help you make an informed decision moving forward. Contact us today to schedule a confidential appointment in a caring, non-judgmental environment.

Make an Appointment

If you are sexually active and think that you may be pregnant, schedule an appointment for a pregnancy test at Coastal Choices Women's Clinic. Here, you'll receive answers to your questions and access to reliable information to help you make a well-informed choice. If you are pregnant, you may be eligible for a free ultrasound. All of our services are free and confidential.

Free Pregnancy Test
Free Ultrasound Exams
Deland, FL
Call: 386-957-4811
Text: 386-888-7383

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do I need an appointment?

Answer: Walk-ins are welcome. However, it is best to make an appointment to minimize your office wait time. Please call: 386-957-4811 or text 386-888-7383, or click make an appointment online.

Question: What is the cost?

Answer: All our services are free and confidential.

Question: What should I expect when I come for my visit?

Answer: Upon your arrival, our friendly receptionist will guide you to meet your client advocate. This advocate will offer you a judgment-free space to talk, followed by essential information and a pregnancy test. In the event of a positive test result, a dedicated medical professional from our team will perform a limited ultrasound to verify the pregnancy's viability and estimate the age of the fetus.

Question: How long after sex does it take for a pregnancy test to work and how accurate is the test?

Answer: Our tests can be performed 7 to 10 days after conception. A client with a negative result may be invited to return within 2 weeks for a repeat test if she has not had her period.

If you have taken a home pregnancy test, you may want to confirm results with a laboratory-quality test at our center or mobile clinic. Our tests detect HCg levels within 7 to 10 after conception.

Question: Will you tell anyone about my visit?

Answer: We maintain a rigorous privacy and confidentiality policy. Our clients' information is safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure, respecting their right to privacy, except in instances mandated by law. This includes situations necessary for public health, preventing harm to the client or others, or in specific circumstances where the use or disclosure of information is justified without prior consent, such as in cases of abuse reporting or suicide/homicide prevention.

Question: When should I schedule an appointment?

Answer: Our high-quality, medical-grade pregnancy tests are capable of detecting pregnancy from the first day after your initial missed period. We advise scheduling an appointment if you've missed a period, have any queries related to pregnancy, or suspect that you might be pregnant.

Question: How far along do I have to be to get a free ultrasound?

Answer: After an initial consultation with one of our client advocates, we offer on-site ultrasound scans. These limited ultrasounds are conducted by a licensed nurse sonographer or a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) and are subsequently reviewed by a licensed physician. The purpose of an ultrasound is to confirm the viability of the pregnancy and to establish the gestational age. To be eligible for a limited ultrasound, you must be at least 6 weeks into your pregnancy, counted from the first day of your last menstrual period.

Question: I already know I'm pregnant and I want an abortion, what's next?

Answer: It is advisable to have an ultrasound to confirm the viability of your pregnancy and to ensure it is located within the uterus, as 20% to 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Moreover, the ultrasound helps in determining the stage of your pregnancy, which is essential in making an informed decision about the type of abortion procedure you may consider. We offer a limited ultrasound free of charge.

Client Reviews

from clients like you!

DeLand, Florida pregnancy symptoms.

Coastal Choices Has Been More Than a Blessing

"Coastal choices has been more than a blessing in my healing journey. They held my hand through a Post-abortion Bible study that brought soul healing scripture, that opened my eyes to areas of my heart that needed Gods loving touch and healing. In a world filled with void answers, Coastal Choices had Gods Truth and Women filled with His peace in leading me to His throne of grace and mercy." Melissa
Deltona, Florida pregnancy help.

This Place is a Blessing!

"This place is a blessing! I had no idea what I was walking into at my first appointment but I was pleasantly surprised at how welcoming and comfortable everyone makes you feel. The support is amazing. My favorite part is you can go every week to learn about parenting, coping with past trauma and even bible studies. This place is a blessing, I will say it 5 times over!!" Sarah
DeLand, Florida abortion clinics info.

Coastal Choices Has Been a Crucial Part of My Pregnancy

"Coastal Choices has been a very crucial part of my pregnancy journey. I’m beyond grateful for the staff and the support that they, along with their community have offered me. I’ve never felt more welcomed in any environment, especially after becoming pregnant. The courses are very easy to manage, the information is intriguig and beneficial, overall it has been a great experience and I intend to continue education here!" Kaleigh
DeLand, Florida medication abortion.

I Recently Visited the Women’s Clinic and Was Very Pleased

"I recently visited the women’s clinic and was very pleased with the services. From the moment I walked in the facility was very welcoming and so was the staff member that greeted me at the door. Both the volunteers whom I spoke with were also very kind and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend and will come back for the educational courses available as well." Barbara
DeLand, Florida free pregnancy Tests.

Coastal Choices Honestly Surprised Me

"Coastal Choices honestly surprised me. By what I noticed in one visit, which I already have a date to go back to sign up for their program. They are a well established clinic. I was really scared at first of this whole pregnancy but they helped a lot and are very welcoming that I feel more secure now that I know I have their help when I need it. I totally recommend them if you have an unexpected pregnancy". Makyla
DeLand, Florida free ultrasound exams.

I Have Received More Help From Them

"I have been going here with both of my children since they were born and I have received more help from them than anyone else. This place helps with EVERYTHING you need to get ready for a baby. It would truly be a shame for anyone to miss out on how amazing and helpful Grace House is!! I urge anyone who could use diapers, formula, clothes, and furniture to call and start your relationship with this compassionate group of people!" Desiree

Location

336 N Woodland Blvd.
DeLand, FL 32720

Mobile Clinic

Phone: 386-957-4811
Text: 386-888-7383

Hours

Monday           9am - 5pm
Tuesday           CLOSED
Wednesday     9am - 5pm
Thursday         9am - 5pm
Friday               CLOSED
Saturday          CLOSED
Sunday             CLOSED

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