Gov. Scott to hold pro-life bill signing celebration at mansion

The bills have been effect for a month, but pro-life advocates will gather at the governor's mansion on Saturday to celebrate the passage and signing by Gov. Rick Scott of four bills intended to limit access to abortion.

Lawmakers passed five such bills in the 2011 session. The governor signed four of them. One requires women to receive an ultrasound before undergoing an abortion and be offered the opportunity to have it described to her. Another tightens requiremens for parental notification when a minor seeks an abortion. A third prohibits insurance policies created through the federal health care law from covering abortions, and the fourth redirects proceeds from Choose Life license plates from counties to Choose Life, Inc., which counsels pregnant women. Lawmakers also passed a bill proposing a Constitutional amendment, which doesn't require the governor's signature, that would prohibit using tax dollars to pay for abortions.

John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, is traveling from Orlando for the event, which starts at 1:30 p.m.

 

"We are thrilled that the governor is taking a moment to publicly recognize the pro-life community and the accomplishments of the Legislature, which are historic," Stemberger said. "In 15 years, there were four pieces of prolife legislation passed. And in one year, we had five major reforms passed. I think that puts it in historic category."