SOCW: 6200
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
Abortion Laws in Florida
SOCW: 6200
In the state of Florida in order to get a legal abortion the woman must be under 24 weeks of
pregnancy. Before starting the abortion procedure, she must have an ultrasound to check and
make sure the fetus is not over the 24-week mark (Florida abortion laws 2016). Once the
procedure is being started there must be two licensed physicians in the room for the procedure to
be performed. If a minor, try to go to a clinic and tries to receive an abortion the parent or legal
guardian must be notified immediately (Florida abortion laws 2016). It is illegal to perform an
abortion on a minor without the parent present. Termination of the pregnancy after the 24-week
mark is prohibited unless the mother’s life is physically endangered and there is no other
medical procedure that would be sufficient to help keep the fetus (Florida abortion laws 2016).
If this law is not upheld, you can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, which is
punishable with a year in jail or a 1,000-dollar fine or both. The penalties for unlawful
abortions are a third-degree felony, which is imprisonment up to 5years (Florida abortion laws
2016). You could also be charged for a second-degree misdemeanor, which you could receive
up to 60 days in imprisonment for performing an abortion in an unlawful place. If jail time is
not given you
will be required to pay fines. A 3rd degree felony fine is up to 5,000 dollars (Florida abortion laws
2016). A second-degree misdemeanor fine is up to 500 dollars. If you are a healthcare provider
such as a healthcare practitioner, a hospital employee, physicians office or abortion clinic you
are obligated to report to the department of health if any laws are violated (Florida abortion laws
2016).
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
Abortion Laws in Florida
SOCW: 6200
In the state of Florida in order to get a legal abortion the woman must be under 24 weeks of
pregnancy. Before starting the abortion procedure, she must have an ultrasound to check and
make sure the fetus is not over the 24-week mark (Florida abortion laws 2016). Once the
procedure is being started there must be two licensed physicians in the room for the procedure to
be performed. If a minor, try to go to a clinic and tries to receive an abortion the parent or legal
guardian must be notified immediately (Florida abortion laws 2016). It is illegal to perform an
abortion on a minor without the parent present. Termination of the pregnancy after the 24-week
mark is prohibited unless the mother’s life is physically endangered and there is no other
medical procedure that would be sufficient to help keep the fetus (Florida abortion laws 2016).
If this law is not upheld, you can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, which is
punishable with a year in jail or a 1,000-dollar fine or both. The penalties for unlawful
abortions are a third-degree felony, which is imprisonment up to 5years (Florida abortion laws
2016). You could also be charged for a second-degree misdemeanor, which you could receive
up to 60 days in imprisonment for performing an abortion in an unlawful place. If jail time is
not given you
will be required to pay fines. A 3rd degree felony fine is up to 5,000 dollars (Florida abortion laws
2016). A second-degree misdemeanor fine is up to 500 dollars. If you are a healthcare provider
such as a healthcare practitioner, a hospital employee, physicians office or abortion clinic you
are obligated to report to the department of health if any laws are violated (Florida abortion laws
2016).
