FCCB Joins Brief Supporting Reflection Period Prior to Abortion

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Florida’s HB 633. The bill, which provides for a 24-hour reflection period prior to an abortion, became law in 2015 and was immediately challenged in the courts. In response to claims of six Florida bioethicists, the brief provides a fuller picture of the law’s benefits from a bioethical perspective. It focuses on how the law enhances Florida’s policy in light of the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice, and the ways it bolsters the patient/physician relationship. The FCCB was joined on the brief by the Pellegrino Center for Bioethics at Georgetown, the National Catholic Bioethics Center and the Catholic Medical Association.  Stephen Emmanuel of Ausley McMullen, and general counsel to the FCCB, was the author of the brief. To read the brief, click here.

After earlier issuing a temporary stay putting the 24-hour reflection period on hold, the Florida Supreme Court has agreed to review the case. Oral arguments are scheduled for November 1, 2016.