Florida Governor Ron DeSantis affirmed on Wednesday that he does not back the notion of criminalizing women for obtaining abortions in Florida, The Hill reported.
DeSantis stated, “We have no criminal penalty. The penalties are for the physician.”
Florida’s six-week abortion ban, which is not yet in effect due to a pending lawsuit, would permit the state to press felony charges against anyone willfully performing or actively participating in performing an abortion.
DeSantis, however, clarified that these penalties would apply to medical providers, not women seeking care. He emphasized that he is “absolutely not” in favor of criminalizing abortion for women, asserting that it “will not happen in Florida.”
The Republican governor, who is also a presidential candidate, did not reveal whether he would endorse a nationwide abortion ban akin to Florida’s pending six-week law or the existing 15-week law. Abortion has emerged as a key issue for the 2024 GOP campaign, with varying opinions among candidates.
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