Florida Senate Backs Fetus Wrongful Death Lawsuits

The Florida Senate Appropriations Committee has approved SB 1284, a controversial bill allowing wrongful death lawsuits for the death of a fetus, shortly after a similar bill, HB 1517, passed the House. Proponents, such as Rep. Sam Greco, argue these bills allow grieving parents to seek damages for the loss of an unborn child, though critics see them as a veiled attempt to restrict abortion access further. Critics, including the ACLU of Florida and medical professionals, warn the bills could lead to an exodus of OBGYNs due to fear of litigation and argue they do not adequately protect against lawsuits targeting friends or family assisting someone seeking an abortion. The bills specify that wrongful death suits cannot be brought against mothers or medical providers following standard care, yet concerns remain about potential impacts on IVF clinics and the broader medical community. Democratic critics have noted that the bills, which allow lawsuits for fetuses at any developmental stage, are essentially declaring that life begins at conception.