Tampa Bay's own Fentrice Driskell paired up with Jacksonville's Tracie Davis to do what 57% of Florida voters tried — and barely missed — in 2024.
Remember Amendment 4? The one where 57% of Floridians voted to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution and lost anyway because Florida is the only state in the country that requires a 60% supermajority to amend its own constitution?
Well, Rep. Fentrice Driskell (Tampa) — who also happens to be running for State Senate District 16, which covers parts of Pinellas County — and Sen. Tracie Davis (Jacksonville) just filed the Reproductive Freedom Act. It's the legislative version of what voters almost passed at the ballot box. And it's a long shot. But shots only go in if you take them. (WUSF, Feb. 13, 2026)
🩺 What's Actually in the Bill
The Reproductive Freedom Act would create a new statute in Florida law guaranteeing every resident's right to make autonomous health care decisions. Specifically:
- Repeals Florida's six-week abortion ban (currently one of the strictest in the country)
- Codifies the right to contraception without state interference
- Protects providers from criminal liability for offering reproductive care
- Restores access to abortion through fetal viability — roughly 24 weeks
State Sen. Davis put it plainly at the Feb. 12 rally at the Capitol: "We are simply asking the Legislature to honor the will of the voters." (WLRN, Feb. 13, 2026)
📉 Why It Matters in Pinellas County
Since Florida's six-week ban took effect, the number of abortions provided in the state has fallen by roughly half. (KFF, 2026)
Pinellas County residents seeking care past six weeks — which is before most people even know they're pregnant — now have to travel out of state. Closest option: North Carolina (12-week ban) or Virginia (no ban). That's a 600-mile minimum round trip from St. Petersburg.
The math:
- Lost wages for travel: 2-3 days minimum
- Travel cost: $400-$800 in flights or gas + lodging
- Childcare: Most abortion patients are already parents (60%, per Guttmacher)
- Time off: Florida has no paid family leave
Translation: the six-week ban functions as an income tax on reproductive health care. If you can't afford the trip, you don't get the care.
🚧 The Quiet Part Out Loud
Here's what's not in the press releases. While Driskell and Davis push to restore access, the GOP supermajority is moving the other direction:
- A bill allowing wrongful death suits for embryos (which would make IVF legally radioactive)
- A mandate that public school children watch "fetal development" videos as part of curriculum
- Continued restrictions on out-of-state telehealth providers
The bill as filed isn't expected to pass this session. The Republican supermajority has been clear it has no intention of bringing it to the floor. (Florida Phoenix, Jan. 23, 2026)
But filing it forces every legislator to take a position. And with Driskell running for Senate in a Pinellas-adjacent district, that position becomes a campaign issue.
✊ What You Can Do From Pinellas County
1. Call your state legislators. Tell them you support the Reproductive Freedom Act.
- Sen. Nick DiCeglie (SD-18, North Pinellas): (850) 487-5018
- Sen. Ed Hooper (SD-21, Pasco/Pinellas): (850) 487-5021
- Find your full delegation: activatepinellas.org/check-your-reps
2. Suggested call script:
"Hi, I'm a constituent in Pinellas County. I'm calling to ask the Senator to support the Reproductive Freedom Act filed by Sen. Davis and Rep. Driskell. 57% of Florida voters supported abortion access at the ballot in 2024. The Senator should honor that. Thank you."
3. Donate or volunteer with Floridians for Reproductive Freedom. Their advocacy team is the one keeping this bill alive in committee.
4. Support Driskell's Senate campaign. She's running for SD-16 in the August 18 primary. Friends of Driskell — yes, she covers part of Pinellas.
5. Share this post. Every share is one more person who knows the bill exists.
Sources: WUSF — Reproductive Freedom Act | WLRN | Florida Phoenix | KFF — 2026 ballot landscape | Floridians for Reproductive Freedom