State Sen. Kelli Stargel answers reporters' questions during a legislative session on Tuesday in Tallahassee. Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
Republican lawmakers in Florida are once again fighting to ban abortion.
What's happening: Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland) and Rep. Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) filed Senate Bill 146 and House Bill 5 on Tuesday, the first day of the Florida legislature.
- Both would ban doctors from giving abortions after 15 weeks unless the health of the patient is at risk, or if there is a "fatal fetal abnormality."
- Abortion providers would be required to document the number of pregnancies terminated by medications and submit a report to the Agency for Health Care Administration monthly.
Why it matters: The proposed laws already have momentum with Republican House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby).
- Sprowls also put Grall and Rep. Colleen Burton (R-Lakeland) in charge of his chamber's abortion legislation efforts, per the Tampa Bay Times.
The other side: Florida Democrats are saying, "Be ready to fight."
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