Florida introduces bills to regulate abortion pill trafficking, protect women

Florida lawmakers recently introduced legislation in the state House of Representatives and Senate that would penalize abortion pill providers who send the drugs to women through the mail and ensure safety regulations on the distribution of the pills.

The legislation, SB1374 and HB0633, is titled “Anti-Chemical Abortion Pill Trafficking Act” and is inspired by Students for Life Action (SFLAction). In a press release, SFLAction stated that the act would also allow family members of women who have a chemical abortion to sue abortion vendors, regardless of whether the woman consented to the abortion. Additionally, the act states that out-of-state abortion pill providers will be held liable if they mail pills to women residing in Florida.

SFLAction President Kristan Hawkins stated in the release that passing the proposed legislation is crucial for the protection of mothers and babies. She added that the abortion pill industry makes women susceptible targets for predators and abusers.

“Easy access to Chemical Abortion Pills makes all the wrong people happy: pill pushers and abusers, who use the pills against women without their knowledge or consent,” she stated, later adding, “This bill puts a high cost on those predators who profit from death by abortion and then abandon women to whatever happens next.”

SFLAction pointed to a recent poll conducted by its Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement as evidence of public support for the legislation. The poll, conducted among 1,107 adults aged 18 to 45, found that half of respondents say they would support regulations that require abortion pills to be dispensed in person to protect women from abuse. About one in four said they opposed the proposed regulations and over nine in 10 said a review of federal policies on abortion pills is important. 

As Zeale previously reported, laws similar to Florida’s have been tested in other pro-life states, including Texas and Louisiana.

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