WE OPPOSE THIS BILL – CS/HB 651!
The Florida House Judiciary Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 8:00 AM EST
OPPOSE: The House Judiciary Committee will be taking up House Bill 651 (a.k.a. Senate Bill 476) – Civil Liability for the Wrongful Death of an Unborn Child – which will target abortion providers, abortion-seeking patients, and people who help them by allowing lawsuits for “wrongful death” of an “unborn child.” This is the final committee stop in the Florida House. It seeks to establish fetal personhood and empower abusers!
The authors of the bill, Senator Erin Grall and Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, have copied this proposed new law from laws passed in states hostile to abortion. Senator Grall and Rep. Persons-Mulicka were the authors of last year’s six-week abortion ban, and it’s clear HB 651 is another example of political interference where it doesn’t belong.
Disturbingly, HB 651 opens the door for those seeking abortion care to harassment from their partners or ex-partners via lawsuits seeking damages – a particularly damaging prospect for survivors of domestic violence. That’s why the Floridians for Reproductive Freedom coalition has dubbed this bill the “Abuser Empowerment Act.”
In addition, the language in this bill has been used in other states to harass abortion providers by allowing individuals (like an ex-boyfriend of a patient who received abortion care) to sue abortion providers in civil court for wrongful death. This bill would leave survivors of domestic abuse in particularly vulnerable situations. Similar provisions have been used by abusers to maintain control over their victims and to harass health care providers who offer care to survivors of abuse.
Note: Special thanks to House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell & Representative Anna V. Eskamani!
CALL or EMAIL the Florida House Judiciary Committee Members to VOTE NO on House Bill 651!
Names and Contact Information
1. Chair Gregory (R) – Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5072
2. Vice Chair Overdorf (R) –Toby.Overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5085
3. Ranking Member Gottlieb (D) – Randy.Maggard@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5054
4. Rep. Maggard (R) – Michael.Gottlieb@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5102
5. Rep. Altman (R) – Thad.Altman@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5032
6. Rep Arrington (D) – Kristen.Arrington@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5046
7. Rep. Barnaby (R) – Webster.Barnaby@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5029
8. Rep. Botana (R) – Adam.Botana@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5080
9. Rep. Bracy Davis (D) – Lavon.Bracydavis@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5040
10. Rep. Brannan III (R) – Chuck.Brannan@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5010
11. Rep. Chamberlin (R) – Ryan.Chamberlin@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5024
12. Rep. Chambliss (D) – Kevin.Chambliss@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5117
13. Rep. Giallombardo (R) – Mike.Giallombardo@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5079
14. Rep. Hart (D) – Dianne.Hart@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5063
15. Rep. Hinson (D) – Yvonne.Hinson@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5021
16. Rep. Jacques (R) – Berny.Jacques@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5059
17. Rep. Joseph (D) – Dotie.Joseph@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5108
18. Rep. Maney (R) – Patt.Maney@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5004
19. Rep. Payne (R) – Bobby.Payne@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5020
20. Rep. Robinson Jr. (R) – Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5071
21. Rep. Snyder (R) – John.Snyder@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5086
22. Rep. Stark (R) – Paula.Stark@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5047
23. Rep. Truenow (R) – Keith.Truenow@myfloridahouse.gov; (850) 717-5026
Bulk emails addresses separated with commas:
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Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov, Toby.Overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov, Randy.Maggard@myfloridahouse.gov, Michael.Gottlieb@myfloridahouse.gov, Thad.Altman@myfloridahouse.gov, Kristen.Arrington@myfloridahouse.gov, Webster.Barnaby@myfloridahouse.gov, Adam.Botana@myfloridahouse.gov, Lavon.Bracydavis@myfloridahouse.gov, Chuck.Brannan@myfloridahouse.gov, Ryan.Chamberlin@myfloridahouse.gov, Kevin.Chambliss@myfloridahouse.gov, Mike.Giallombardo@myfloridahouse.gov, Dianne.Hart@myfloridahouse.gov, Yvonne.Hinson@myfloridahouse.gov, Berny.Jacques@myfloridahouse.gov, Dotie.Joseph@myfloridahouse.gov, Patt.Maney@myfloridahouse.gov, Bobby.Payne@myfloridahouse.gov, Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov, John.Snyder@myfloridahouse.gov, Paula.Stark@myfloridahouse.gov, Keith.Truenow@myfloridahouse.gov
Script/Email Message
Dear Reps. Altman, Arrington, Barnaby, Botana, Bracy Davis, Brannan, Chamberlin, Chambliss, Giallombardo, Gottlieb, Gregory, Hart, Hinson, Jacques, Joseph, Maggard, Maney, Overdorf, Payne, Robinson, Snyder, Stark, and Truenow,
Please oppose HB 651 / SB 476 when it is considered by the House Judiciary Committee on February 21. The vague language of this bill will lead to extreme government overreach and political interference where it doesn’t belong, in the private health care decisions of Floridians.
In other states, similar legislation has been used to target abortion providers or to penalize those who help others access reproductive care. These decisions are personal, and this bill could be weaponized against patients and survivors of domestic abuse.
Again, please vote NO on HB 651 / SB 476 to ensure experiences around pregnancy, abortion, and miscarriage stay between a pregnant person and who they choose to involve.
I also urge you to strongly oppose the last-minute amendment from Senator Grall. If her amendment becomes law, it could dissuade pregnant Floridians from getting needed help — whether for an abortion or even help with a miscarriage — for fear their health care provider or friend will face frivolous lawsuits.
Sincerely,
Your Name