HJR 1179

1
House Joint Resolution
2A joint resolution proposing the creation of Section 28 of
3Article I of the State Constitution to prohibit public
4funding of abortions and prohibit the State Constitution
5from being interpreted to create broader rights to an
6abortion than those contained in the United States
7Constitution.
8
9Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11     That the following creation of Section 28 of Article I of
12the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to
13the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
14general election or at an earlier special election specifically
15authorized by law for that purpose:
16
ARTICLE I
17
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
18     SECTION 28.  Prohibition on public funding of abortions;
19construction of abortion rights.-
20     (a)  Except as required by federal law, or to save the life
21of the mother, public funds may not be expended for any abortion
22or for health-benefits coverage that includes coverage of
23abortion.
24     (b)  This constitution may not be interpreted to create
25broader rights to an abortion than those contained in the United
26States Constitution.
27     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
28placed on the ballot:
29
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
30
ARTICLE I, SECTION 28
31     PROHIBITION ON PUBLIC FUNDING OF ABORTIONS; CONSTRUCTION OF
32ABORTION RIGHTS.-This proposed amendment provides that public
33funds may not be expended for any abortion or for health-
34benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion, except as
35required by federal law or to save the life of the mother.
36     This proposed amendment provides that the State
37Constitution may not be interpreted to create broader rights to
38an abortion than those contained in the United States
39Constitution. With respect to abortion, this proposed amendment
40overrules court decisions which conclude that the right of
41privacy under Article I, Section 23 of the State Constitution is
42broader in scope than that of the United States Constitution.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.