Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs six-week ‘heartbeat bill’ into law to limit abortion

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act into law Thursday evening, putting the state more in line with other Republican-led states, just hours after the legislation cleared the Florida legislature.

The new law expands protections to unborn children, giving them full rights to life once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy. It also provides funding to help mothers across the state.

"Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families," DeSantis wrote on Twitter Thursday, sharing a photo of himself at his governor’s desk where he is signing the law.

In the photo, DeSantis is surrounded by pro-life lawmakers and advocates.

Several people responded to the post, with pro-life leaders commending the governor’s action and his fulfillment of a promise to defend life in Florida.