Ohio’s Abortion Trigger Bill

Ohio’s legislature is considering an abortion “trigger bill” which would immediately outlaw abortion in the state if the United States Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.  Under House Bill 598, physicians and others who perform abortions through medication or instruments would face charges of criminal abortion, a fourth-degree felony. The bill specifies prosecutors cannot bring charges against pregnant women, but the bill has no exceptions for abortion in the case of rape or incest.

The bill would allow doctors who perform abortions to preserve a woman’s life and health to use medical records as an affirmative defense if they’re prosecuted. Another physician not professionally related to the first would have to certify in writing that the abortion was necessary.

Committee hearings on the bill are being held this week.

Ohio is also considering an abortion ban similar to Texas.  Click here for our previous post on that bill.