KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by pro-life advocates and community leaders to sign HB 5, the Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Act, to protect the lives of Florida’s most vulnerable by prohibiting all abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. HB 5 represent the most significant protections for life in Florida’s modern history. Read more on what they are saying below.

“Life is precious and children are a God-given gift,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “That is why House Bill 5 is so important, as it provides added protections for the unborn child. Governor DeSantis and I remain steadfast in our commitment to defending the sanctity of innocent human life and protecting the unborn.”

“Every abortion kills a special and unique human being who deserves protection under the laws of this state and the chance to grow up in a loving family,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson. “As an adopted child in a family that took in foster children, it has always been important to me that our state do everything we can to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion. Floridians can be proud that we live in a state that not only protects innocent, unborn life, but also supports children and parents. I commend Governor DeSantis for making strong pro-life, pro-child, and pro-family legislation the centerpiece of his administration.”

“With Governor DeSantis’ signature on our bill that respects and protects life before and after birth, we are well on our way to saving thousands of babies — and it doesn’t stop there,” said House Speaker Chris Sprowls. “Through provisions in our bill, we will continue to support babies and new moms to ensure they have the best opportunities to be healthy and safe for years to come. I could not be more proud of the tenacity, courage and resilience displayed by Representatives Grall and Persons-Mulicka in their fight for this bill and the lives of Florida’s next generation.”

“In the half century since the Roe v. Wade decision, science has shown us that an unborn baby rapidly develops the functions and form of a child long before viability. Having once been a scared teenage mother myself, I understand the challenge and anguish of a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, but we have a duty to protect life,” said Senator Kelli Stargel. “This bill safeguards innocent, unborn children with beating hearts, who can move, taste, see, feel pain, and whose lives should be protected under the laws of this state. Governor DeSantis is a champion for life, and I am grateful to him for signing this bill into law and protecting the right to life for unborn children across our state.”

“Today, Florida takes a big step forward in creating a culture that values, defends, and protects life,” said Representative Erin Grall. “I am proud to have worked alongside so many great leaders, including Governor DeSantis, to pass HB 5 because I know our state values the rights of the unborn and ensures that a life remains a life, whether planned or unplanned, wanted or unwanted, in the womb or outside of the womb.”

“The bill that the Governor is signing will save babies. This bill will save mothers and fathers from the lifetime of pain that I have suffered, and for that I am so grateful,” said Pro-Life Advocate Heather Grall Barwick. “I made a mistake [to get an abortion] at 21 years old that I cannot change but I can let others learn from my mistake. I choose to share my story for my 6-year-old daughter and my 19 nieces and nephews. I chose to speak up for the women who say abortion does not cause mental distress and the women in their 70s who had abortions who just now are able to testify on the regret they have held for 40 years.”

“When Hope was 10 and a half weeks gestation, her birth mother had an abortion at an abortion facility and she left that day believing she had had an abortion, but God had sparred Hope’s life,” said Terri Kellogg, Hope’s mother Pro-Life Advocate. “At 5 ½ months, her birth mother felt movement and at that point she chose life and adoption. She didn’t know anything was wrong with her baby until she delivered two months early. When I look at Hope and I see her scar, I am reminded of how God sparred her. I am thankful for my daughter, and I am thankful for her birth mother who chose life when given a second chance. My heart is full to be here with all of you who have done so much to stand for life.”

“No one wanted my daughter, her father said it’s not mine, my parents wanted nothing to do with the pregnancy, my mother even took me for the abortion but when I got there, I didn’t do it,” said Kelly Therrien, Pro-Life Advocate. “I had nothing, I had nobody but I did it. My daughter will be 3 ½ on the 17^th. I was pro-choice but when you get in that spot and it is you personally, it messes with your mind and I am against it now, because I wouldn’t have her. People say she was a mistake but no, she was a surprise. Thank you Governor for signing this.”

“Being a single mother has not been easy, but I have the good fortune to be where I am now,” said Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller. “When I was in college, I fell pregnant at 19. I went to a physician and was handed a referral for abortion without any counseling. I decided to keep my baby and when she was born, yelling and screaming, she was put on my chest and immediately fell silent, that is when I knew I had done the right thing. It takes courage for any woman who finds herself at a crossroads and has to make the toughest decision of their life. I hope hearing my story will encourage someone out there to make a choice and choose life, do not believe the narrative that a baby will ruin your life and that abortion is the right choice, you WILL be fine and all WILL be well.”

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