Gov. DeSantis Signs Florida's 6-Week Abortion Ban Into Law

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law a measure banning abortions in the state after six weeks of pregnancy, solidifying Florida's place among a handful of states with the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation.

The Republican-dominated Florida Legislature approved the ban on Thursday before sending it to the governor's desk, giving DeSantis a critical political victory among Republican primary voters as he potentially prepares to launch his bid for president.

DeSantis signed the measure late Thursday night in a private ceremony without fanfare.

• RELATED: Florida GOP Passes 6-Week Abortion Ban

"We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida," DeSantis said in a statement on his website. "I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families."

Before DeSantis signed the bill, Florida prohibited abortions after 15 weeks. Florida's six-week ban will only take effect if the state's current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge before the state's conservative-controlled Supreme Court.

The six-week ban more closely aligns Florida with the abortion restrictions of other Republican-controlled states. The law also has significant implications for abortion access throughout the South, as nearby states Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi prohibit the procedure at all stages of pregnancy, and Georgia bans it after cardiac activity can be detected, which is around six weeks.

The new law allows exceptions until 15 weeks of pregnancy to save a woman's life or if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest. In those cases, a woman must provide documentation such as a medical record, restraining order, or police report.

Under the law, drugs used in medication-induced abortions could be dispensed only in person by a physician.

"We have the opportunity to lead the national debate about the importance of protecting life and giving every child the opportunity to be born and find his or her purpose," said Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who carried the bill in the House.

Meanwhile, Democrats and abortion-rights groups have criticized the new law as extreme because many women do not realize they are pregnant until after six weeks.

Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried and Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book were among several people arrested last week during a protest outside the Florida State Capitol, where senators gathered to bill.

Fried tweeted a picture of her being led away in handcuffs, writing, "I'm out. And not ever backing down."

In a tweet, Book said, "the fight continues" to ensure people have access to abortions.

"In the course of just two generations, we've seen our rights won & lost. It is now up to us to get them back. Because no one is going to save us but ourselves," Book tweeted.