A version of the controversial abortion law passed in Texas and now before the U.S. Supreme Court might be coming to Ohio. Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles reports a bill to establish a similar but stricter measure has been introduced in the Ohio Legislature.
Half of all Republicans in the Ohio House have signed on to sponsor a bill that would allow anyone to sue a doctor performing abortions and fine them $10,000 per procedure. Linda Theis with the Ohio Right to Life Action Coalition says this recognizes the fertilized egg as a person.
“It’s all about pro-life protections with no exceptions. And that’s exactly what happens here in this. Bill.”
NARAL ProChoice Ohio’s Kellie Copeland notes a key provision – a ban on all abortions.
“Texas and Ohio seem to be having this one-up-man-ship I guess. Ohio passes a six week ban and Texas says, ‘hey wait, we are going to add this vigil-anti piece’ and now it’s come back to Ohio and they are escalating it even further.”
Ohio’s so-called “heartbeat bill” has been on hold since it was challenged in federal court in July 2019.