Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act into law Thursday evening, putting the state more in line with other Republican-led states, just hours after the legislation cleared the Florida legislature.
The new law expands protections to unborn children, giving them full rights to life once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy. It also provides funding to help mothers across the state.
“Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families,” DeSantis wrote on Twitter Thursday, sharing a photo of himself at his governor’s desk where he is signing the law.
Several people responded to the post, with pro-life leaders commending the governor’s action and his fulfillment of a promise to defend life in Florida.
The new law also allocates $25 million in funds for pregnancy centers around the state. The money is expected to help women during their pregnancy and after the child is born.
The legislation allows exceptions to save the life of the woman or for cases of rape or incest until 15 weeks of pregnancy.
