Sweeping Six-week Abortion Bans Moving in Ohio Legislature

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Contact: [email protected]

Sweeping Six-week Abortion Bans Moving in Ohio Legislature
Ohio Senate holds first committee hearing for dangerous abortion ban

COLUMBUS, OH – Today, Senate Bill 23, six-week abortion ban, had its first hearing in the Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee in the Ohio Senate. Senator Kristina Roegner is the extremist politician sponsoring this unconstitutional and dangerous legislation. This committee hearing comes after the early introduction of two six-week abortion bans this week – one in each chamber of the Ohio Legislature.

Similar to the six-week abortion ban that was ultimately defeated in December of 2018, both Senate Bill 23 and House Bill 68 aim to block access to abortion six-weeks into a pregnancy, which is before most people know that they are pregnant. This legislation would effectively outlaw abortion access in Ohio.

Statement from Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio:

“The early introduction of these six-week abortion bans is a clear indication of anti-reproductive rights politician’s priority to outlaw abortion in Ohio. They are eager to fast track these bills with the goal to get one or both bills quickly to Governor Mike DeWine for him to sign into law – making Ohio the most hostile state in the country for abortion access and reproductive rights.

“The six-week abortion ban will force people to travel across state lines to access the care they need, drain Ohio of medical talent, and ultimately leave people to resort to dangerous methods to obtain an abortion. Simply put – this is unacceptable for the people of our state.

“This bill and the six-week abortion ban in the Ohio House shows us where the priorities of the Ohio Legislature truly are. Rather than focusing on polices that actually support Ohioans and their families like paid family leave, child services, and increased access to high-quality health care, anti-abortion politicians are determined to strip us of our bodily autonomy and criminalize safe, legal abortion.”

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for women’s reproductive health and women’s rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying.www.ppao.org