Florida's top court upholds 15-week abortion ban, but makes it a ballot measure

The top court of Florida upheld the state's 15-week abortion ban which paved the way for the implementation of the six-week ban and it was also decided that aballot initiative would be held to decide ifabortion rights should be enshrined in the state's Constitution.

The six-week abortion ban was passed in 2023 but was kept on hold the judgement on the case of the 15-week ban. The six-week ban will come into effect in 30 days.

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Court gives two rulings on abortion ban

Florida's Republican-appointed justices on Monday (April 1) agreed by 6-1 that the constitution of the state - especially its privacy protections - did not apply to access to abortion.

The court's ruling upheld the existing 15-week abortion ban which was passed in Florida in 2022.

Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis had almost a year ago signed into law a six-week abortion ban. However, it was decided that the bill would be placed on hold till the legal challenges of the 15-week ban were cleared.

After Monday's ruling, Florida can place into effect the six-week ban within 30 days. Lawsuits challenging the ban have been filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood, which has its own clinics that provide abortions.

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The Florida Supreme Court, in a separate ruling on Monday (April 1), also decided by 4-3 that a proposed constitutional amendment which will protect access to abortion in the state can be part of the ballots in November when the country's general election is held.

In the ballot question, the Floridians will have to vote 'yes' or 'no' to a statement that reads, "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health."

Viability refers to the time when an unborn child or foetus is likely to survive outside the uterus, which is generally around 24 weeks.

It added that "this amendment does not change the Legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion".

(With inputs from agencies)