Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act Heads to Gov. Kasich
Bill aiming to protect babies with Down syndrome approved by Ohio Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jamieson Weaver
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, the Ohio Senate passed Ohio Right to Life’s Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act 20-12, legislation which prohibits abortions for the sole reason of a Down syndrome diagnosis. The legislation was sponsored by Reps. Sarah LaTourette and Derek Merrin and Sen. Frank LaRose.
“Ohio Right to Life is grateful that our pro-life senators took a stand against discrimination and abortion,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “Both the House and the Senate sent a loud message that we are a society built on compassion, love, equality. We expect Governor Kasich will sign this legislation, as he said he would in 2015. Every Ohioan deserves the right to life, no matter how many chromosomes they have.”
In the last 6 years, Ohio Right to Life has seen 19 pro-life initiatives passed into law by Gov. John Kasich. In a 2015 interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, when asked if he would sign the Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act, Gov. Kasich said “I’m more than glad to say that of course I would sign it.”
“A prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome should not mean a death sentence,” said Gonidakis. “Thanks to our pro-life legislators, we are one step closer to ensuring that Ohioans with Down syndrome are recognized as humans worthy of dignity, just as they are.”
Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 45 chapters and local affiliates, is Ohio’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.
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