Why Floridians Should Vote NO on Amendment 4
Titled “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion,” Amendment 4 would enshrine UNREGULATED
ABORTION in our state constitution, making Florida one of the MOST PRO-ABORTION states in the nation. The
amendment language is MISLEADING, and its proposed outcomes are DANGEROUS.
WHAT IT SAYS BALLOT SUMMARY No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability
or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.
This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian
before a minor has an abortion.
WHAT IT DOES:
PUTS WOMEN AT RISK Amendment 4 would jeopardize existing laws and prohibit new ones that voters on both sides
of the abortion issue support, including health and safety laws that protect women.
ALLOWS SECOND AND THIRD TRIMESTER ABORTIONS
Though not defined in the amendment, “viability” is defined in Florida law as the stage of development when the life of a
fetus is sustainable outside the womb (Ch. 390.011(15)), generally accepted to be 22-24 weeks of pregnancy, or
about 6 months.
CREATES A BROAD “HEALTH” LOOPHOLE
“Patient’s health” is not defined in the amendment, allowing post-viability, extremely late-term abortions for treatable,
temporary health concerns. Emotional health would justify an abortion when a child could survive outside the womb.
WEAKENS MEDICAL DOCTOR REQUIREMENT
“Healthcare providers” – not just physicians – could determine if an abortion is “necessary” to protect the mother’s
“health.” Even some employees of abortion clinics, such as nurses and counselors, could approve late-term abortions.
ELIMINATES PARENTAL CONSENT
While preserving parental notification in our state constitution (Article X, Section 22), the amendment would invalidate
the current law that requires parental consent for a minor to have an abortion (Ch.390.01114(5), making abortion the
only medical decision for which parents have no say.
Upcoming Events
The Archdiocese will be hosting a few events on the months prior to the Elections to spread the word in our advocacy efforts opposing Amendment 4.
Read more on the Archdiocese of Miami Website:
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