HB 7 aims to change Ohio law to require viability testing beginning at the 22nd week of pregnancy and to ban all abortions once viability is confirmed, except in the case of a “medical emergency,” which is defined to mean only situations in which there is risk of death or “a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.”
Jurisdiction/Legislation Level
State
LCS Legislation Status
http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/hou129.nsf/House+Bill+Number/0007?OpenDoc...
Our Take on This Bill
HB 7 is substantially similar to SB 72 and its companion bill HB 78, and it is 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 7.
Committees
Health and Aging (H)
