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HB 1139

Termination of Pregnancies

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robin Bartleman and 5 co-sponsors

Florida bill to allow abortion for fatal fetal abnormalities died in committee without floor consideration during 2025 session.

Died in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
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Bill Summary · HB 1139

Legislative bill overview

HB 1139 would modify Florida's abortion restrictions by allowing termination of pregnancies in cases where the fetus has a fatal fetal abnormality. The bill was introduced in the 2025 legislative session but died in committee without receiving a floor vote.

Why is this important

Florida currently has one of the nation's stricter abortion bans (effective after 6 weeks of pregnancy with limited exceptions). This bill sought to carve out a specific exception for pregnancies where medical evidence indicates the fetus cannot survive outside the womb, affecting families facing severe prenatal diagnoses. The bill's failure reflects the current legislative landscape's resistance to expanding abortion exceptions in Florida.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "fatal fetal abnormality": Determining which conditions qualify would require precise medical criteria, potentially creating implementation and litigation challenges
  • Competing values on government authority: Disagreement over whether the state should make exceptions to abortion restrictions versus allowing individual medical decision-making in end-of-life pregnancy scenarios
  • Political positioning: The bill's sponsorship by Democratic lawmakers in a Republican-controlled legislature signaled limited prospects for passage regardless of substantive merit

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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