State representatives in Ohio on Wednesday passed legislation that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which usually occurs at six weeks of pregnancy.
The 55-40 vote marked the third time the Ohio house has sought to advance the so-called “heartbeat bill”, which makes no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. The language further states that physicians who violate the ban would be guilty of a fifth-degree felony, punishable by up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
The bill is unlikely to go any further, facing stiff opposition in the senate as well as from John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio.
Kasich and pro-life groups such as Right to Life have expressed concerns that the heartbeat bill is unconstitutional and could result in litigation that might result in a federal judge easing existing restrictions on abortions. The Ohio senate president, Republican Keith Faber, is also opposed to the legislation, making its prospects even more dim.
Abortion rights groups have pointed out that many women do not even know they are pregnant at six weeks. The bill would essentially outlaw abortion in the state of Ohio, they argued.
Kellie Copeland, executive director of pro-choice group Naral’s Ohio chapter, said lawmakers should focus instead on policies “that support access to healthcare and help women and families live better lives”.
