In a great stride to protect the sanctity of human life, the Ohio State Senate passed the “Heartbeat Bill” Wednesday that would ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. The bill had already passed out of the Ohio House by a strong majority, but because the Senate amended the bill, it went back to the House. The House quickly passed the bill in concurrence, and it will now go to Gov. John Kasich—and his veto is likely. Ohio pro-life advocacy groups are hopeful the legislature will have time and be willing to convene for a veto override because of the magnitude of this bill’s importance.
Ohio’s action is one of the strongest pro-life legislative measures in the countrybecause it would require an abdominal ultrasound to detect a heartbeat. When a heartbeat is detected (as early as 5-6 weeks), an abortion at that stage would be illegal. The bill also empowers the State Medical Board of Ohio to suspend physicians’ licenses for medical practitioners who are found to violate the law, even where there is not an associated criminal conviction. Democrat-proffered amendments that sought exemptions were also tabled, reportedly along party lines.
Pro-life advocacy and conservative policy groups, including the James Dobson Family Institute and Live Action, are encouraged by the passage of this solid measure to protect life and support the legislation. This comes as a welcome opportunity for Ohio to lead other states in reclaiming their constitutional authority to determine law on sanctity of life issues.
Now, Ohio stands poised to reclaim its legislative—and moral—authority. The big problem now is Gov. Kasich, who is thought to be reserving a veto until the last possible moment to prevent a veto override, and time is running out. If the legislature isn’t successful in an override, it would have to start with a new bill in January. Incoming Ohio Governor-Elect Mike DeWine has said he would sign the legislation, but it would have to go through the legislative process anew. Under Ohio state law, the legislature could override a Kasich veto with 20 House votes and 60 Senate votes. – READ MORE