Florida bill would limit minors' access to birth control without parental consent

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Those under the age of 18 could see limited access to birth control in Florida.

Florida Senate Bill 1288, moving through legislature, prohibits access to birth control and other services to a minor without their parent's consent.

If the bill is approved, it would require parental consent for minors to obtain birth control or treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

Proponents of the bill argue that it gives power to the parents, allowing them more say in the critical decisions for their children.

"This for me has always been about all of our systems that come up to drive a wedge between a parent and a child when that is the best person to help that child problem solve," Senator Erin Grall said. "That is the person with the number one interest for the health and safety of that child."

Those against it argue it restricts a minor's access to reproductive healthcare.

"We're looking at a public health crisis, we're looking at more unintended pregnancies amongst teens, which I don't think anyone wants," said Laura Goodhue, executive director, Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.

The current laws allow minors access to these services and others that are not surgical procedures.

"We purposefully keep parents out of this space, not allowing them to help their child deal with this," Grall said. "If it's a significant illness or potentially with a crime that's been committed against a child -- and I think that we should fix it."

The bill also gives parents the right to review and consent to any survey or questionnaire given to their child.

The bill is in the Rules Committee now. If passed, it will move to the senate floor for a vote.

If passed there, it will head to the House.

"Now it's gonna be even harder for them to get birth control and the confidential care that they need to prevent unintended pregnancies," Goodhue said.