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Abortion Waiting Period Bill Heads For Senate Vote

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - After approving a limited exemption for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking, a Senate committee Monday supported a bill that would require women to wait 24 hours before receiving abortions.

The 7-3 vote by the Fiscal Policy Committee readies the bill (SB 724), filed by committee Chairwoman Anitere Flores, R-Miami, to go to the full Senate.

The House version (HB 633), filed by Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, is slated to be considered on the House floor Tuesday.

Supporters on the Senate committee said a 24-hour waiting period would allow women to make informed choices before having abortions.

"If she wants to have the abortion, she comes back the next day and has the abortion,'' Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said.

Critics have said the bill would interfere in the relationships between women and doctors and would create a barrier to abortions.

"This bill is about government intrusion,'' Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, said.

The committee approved an amendment that would provide a limited exemption to the waiting period for women who present copies of restraining orders, police reports, medical records or other court documents showing they are victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

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