New bills are coming to the table as the Florida Legislature heads into Week 3 of the 60-day regular session in Tallahassee.
A big talker this week revolves around three bills that are focused on abortions and the clinics that perform them.
House Bill 865, called the "Florida For Life Act," prohibits abortions altogether. House Bill 1411 revises the requirements on clinics providing abortion care.
Both of the bills passed through the Health Quality Subcommittee on Monday and are moving through the House.
The Senate Health Policy Subcommittee on Tuesday is expected to discuss Senate Bill 1722, which also creates more guidelines for clinics. The bill redefines the third trimester, stating it starts at the beginning of the 24th week instead of being defined as after the 24th week of gestation.
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The new legislation also restricts the use of public funds for health care clinics providing abortions. As defined by the bill, any state or local governmental funds may not benefit organizations that own or operate facilities that perform abortions unless those abortions are for medical purposes or for pregnancies conceived through incest or rape.
The Planned Parenthood in Orlando on Monday held a rally and asked local leaders to reconsider the bills, claiming each one has unconstitutional elements to them.
"We need to shift the conversation and really talk about women's safety and women's health," said Anna Eskamani, director of public policy for the Planned Parenthood in Orlando. "If legislators were serious about that, they wouldn't be pushing these kinds of bills."
If passed, Senate Bill 1722, as well as the two House bills, could continue to the House and Senate floors for consideration before a final vote.