Ohio State Legislators Introduce Bills to Restrict Access to Abortion, Including Measure That Would Ban Abortion

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 11 May 2005 - 11:00 PDT


Two Ohio state representatives recently introduced bills that would restrict access to abortion in the state, including legislation that would ban all abortions, the... AP/Ohio News Network reports. State Rep. Tom Brinkman (R) on April 28 introduced a bill (HB 228) that would ban all abortions in the state (McCarthy, AP/Ohio News Network, 5/8). Under the measure, individuals who perform abortion procedures could face a felony charge with up to a 15-year prison sentence. The bill also would make it illegal to transport a woman to another state to receive an abortion, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The bill does not contain any exceptions for the health or life of a pregnant woman. Brinkman acknowledges that the bill would be ruled unconstitutional but said he hopes it might become the case that overturns Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that invalidated state abortion bans. "We're just positioning the state for the future," he said. It is "unclear" if the bill will receive a hearing in the state House, according to the Plain Dealer (Theis, Cleveland Plain Dealer, 4/30). The bill, which has 17 co-sponsors, has not been assigned to a committee.

Second Abortion-Related Bill
Rep. Michelle Schneider (R) last week proposed a measure (HB 239) that would prohibit public employees' health insurance plans from covering abortion services unless a woman's life is in danger. The bill also would ban publicly owned clinics and hospitals from providing abortions unless they are deemed necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. The bill also supports making childbirth and adoption -- instead of abortion -- the public policy of the state. The legislation has 53 co-sponsors in the 99-member state House and also has the backing of Ohio Right to Life (AP/Ohio News Network, 5/8).

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