SB 72 and its companion bill HB 78 aim to change Ohio law to require viability testing beginning at the 20th week of pregnancy and to ban all abortions once viability is confirmed, except in the case of a medical emergency, which are only situations in which there is risk of death or “a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function” to the woman.
Jurisdiction/Legislation Level
State
LCS Legislation Status
http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/sen129.nsf/Senate+Bill+Number/0072?OpenDo...
Our Take on This Bill
SB 72 and its companion bill HB 78 are cause for concern in part due to their extremely narrow provisions concerning women’s health. According to the language, only situations in which there is risk of death or “a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function” are abortions permitted, explicitly stating that any reason related to mental health is invalid. These narrow exceptions do not allow women to make decisions with their doctors about what is best for their health in all but the most extreme circumstances. The ACLU of Ohio is committed to preserving the rights of women to have control over their reproductive lives and opposes the efforts of HB 78 and SB 72.
Committees
Health / Human Services / Aging (S)
