Pregnancy test by brizmaker via iStock for WMNF News.
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A Florida House subcommittee advanced a bill allowing parents to sue and receive damages for the death of their unborn child.
The vote came after an almost hour-and-a-half-long meeting Tuesday.
Republican Representative Sam Greco presented the bill.
“We’re talking about parents in the worst moments of their life – who lose their unborn child because of somebody else’s wrongfulness,” Greco said.
Opponents call the bill broad and express concern that it would open up lawsuits to hospitals providing care to pregnant patients and enable lawsuits from abusers.
Democrat Representative Michelle Rayner spoke against the bill.
“To me, this bill, as a woman, as a Black woman, opens this wide up for rapists and abusers to be fully empowered, so I will be voting no on this bill.” Rayner said.
Kara Gross with the ACLU of Florida spoke during public comment.
“The increased liability exposure will be devastating to any healthcare practitioner or hospital that treats pregnant patients, and is especially dangerous to OBGYN’s who specialize in high-risk pregnancies,” Gross said.
The Florida Phoenix reports the bill drew opposition from groups that usually don’t get involved, including an alliance representing the largest hospitals in the state, and a physician-owned medical liability carrier.
The bill advanced 13 to 3.