ACLU, Planned Parenthood Sue on Ohio’s Heartbeat Bill
Pro-Abortion Plaintiffs Ask That Heartbeat Bill Be Prevented From Going Into Effect
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jamieson Gordon
DATE: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, the ACLU of Ohio and Planned Parenthood announced that they have filed a lawsuit to prevent the Human Rights and Heartbeat Protection Act (SB 23) from going into effect on July 10. Governor Mike DeWine signed the Heartbeat Bill on April 11, and it was set to go into effect in 90 days. The Heartbeat Bill has been passed in seven other states, including Kentucky and Georgia.
“We believe that the heartbeat bill is the right vehicle for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. Our strategy has always included a federal court challenge and today starts that judicial process,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “It’s no surprise that the ACLU is litigating life-saving laws and Ohio Right to Life is excited to defend the heartbeat bill all the way to our nation’s highest court.”
This law would prohibit abortion when a human heartbeat can be detected. An abdominal ultrasound can detect a heartbeat between eight and twelve weeks. Any physician who performs an abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected would have to demonstrate they did so to save the life of the mother. A recent Marist Poll found that 80% of Americans want to limit abortions no later than three months of pregnancy (12 weeks).
“The Supreme Court has never been more favorable to pro-life legislation than it is right now. Regardless of what happens at the district court level, we expect to have better legal outcomes from both the full 6th U.S. Circuit Court as well as the Supreme Court. We believe that the Court will look back at the wrongly decided Roe decision and overturn it, allowing each state to establish its own pro-life standards. We’re confident that Ohio will continue to be on the forefront of protecting human dignity from conception until natural death.”
While this case goes through the legal system, Ohio Right to Life will continue to advocate on behalf of pro-life legislation in Ohio. To view Ohio Right to Life’s remaining legislative priorities, please click here.
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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