Ohio state Senate links abortion restrictions to first trimester and sound of heartbeat
In a move that is likely to be ruled unconstitutional, the Ohio Senate on Tuesday passed legislation that would prohibit abortions as soon as a heartbeat was heard in an unborn child.
The Heartbeat Bill language was added to HB 493, which originally dealt with child abuse or neglect reporting, on a vote of 20-11, and the full legislation passed the chamber, 21-10.
The Ohio House must concur on amendments, and Gov. John Kasich would have to sign the bill, in order for the law changes to take effect.
Advocates of the bill believe it could help overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave women access to an abortion up until the 24th week of pregnancy. Since then the law has been chipped away at by opponents, with the Supreme Court redefining some of the permitted procedures in the second trimester.
Opponents say the bill is a further intrusion into women's health decisions, and some abortion opponents are concerned that it could lead to court decisions undoing other abortion restrictions in current state law.
The Heartbeat Bill has been offered in three consecutive sessions of the general assembly. The first time, it passed the Ohio House but stalled in the Senate. The second time, the bill failed to gain the required support to move it any further.