House passes abortion-limiting legislation

TALLAHASSEE – The Republican-controlled Florida House has passed a series of measures to put more limits on abortion rights by largely party line votes.

Legislation approved Wednesday includes bills similar to two measures former Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed last year and a proposed state constitutional amendment.

One of the veto replacement bills (HB 1127) would require women to have ultrasound tests done before getting an abortion.

The other (HB 97) would exclude abortion coverage from policies obtained through insurance exchanges required under the federal health care overhaul.

The amendment (HJR 1179) would ban public funding of abortions and exempt abortion from the Florida Constitution’s privacy right.

The pubic-funding measures go to the Senate, where votes are expected this week.