Lauren Book

As part of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo's Live Healthy package, the Legislature is working to shrink maternity care deserts and to help expectant parents learn about available services with a new website.

One bill focuses on crisis pregnancy centers, which are typically operated by anti-abortion groups and are not licensed by the state.

The measure "clarifies that certain penalties relating to unlawful termination of pregnancy do not apply to pregnant woman who terminates pregnancy."

Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book says that while the governor has stated women would not be charged under a new six-week abortion ban, "we’re not just going to take his word for it, we’re fighting to ensure it."

Florida abortion advocates are working on obtaining enough petition signatures for a proposed amendment in the state constitution that explicitly protects abortion access.

The vote was mostly along party lines, with two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. The measure still must pass the House before going to the governor.

Sen. Lauren Book has spent much of her adult life fighting against sexual abuse and working to protect survivors. She says the abortion measure moving through the Legislature is harmful.

Florida lawmakers will again be asked to consider a bill that would provide menstrual products to students at schools. Activists say it's a basic necessity and key to removing the stigma of periods.

A series of bills were released as Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated what he sees as the need for the session, which will start Monday.

The law ends the practice of confining students with disabilities to a room by themselves. Another bill signed Monday allows for higher payments to parents of infants born with a brain injury.