COLUMBUS—The ACLU of Ohio opposes two anti-choice bills that will receive hearings on Wednesday, December 6. Senate Bill 164 would criminalize doctors who perform abortions if the woman has reason to believe her fetus has Down syndrome and House Bill 258 would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. The ACLU of Ohio has actively spoken out against these unconstitutional abortion bans and will provide opponent testimony on HB 258 at the House Health Committee at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

“The unending parade of bans on women’s constitutionally protected right to choose shows that Ohio legislators have one goal: to prohibit abortion outright,” said Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist for the ACLU of Ohio. “Every year, without fail, politicians attempt to substitute their judgement for that of women, families, and doctors, and they do so now without room for public comment,” added Daniels. SB 164 is scheduled for a committee vote on Wednesday, and only the bill’s sponsors will be able to testify.

HB 258, which would ban abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy, was just vetoed by Governor John Kasich last December. “This bill goes far beyond what courts deem to be acceptable. Similar bills were passed in North Dakota and Arkansas, and courts have routinely struck them down,” noted Daniels. “The same pattern applies to the other pending bans because they fundamentally restrict a woman’s right to choose. Politicians should stop wasting taxpayer dollars by passing unconstitutional laws that courts will undoubtedly overturn.”

 

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Read our written testimony of House Bill 258