Human Life Protection Act Introduced in the Ohio House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Stephanie Ranade Krider
DATE: Tuesday, March 3, 2020 PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 302
COLUMBUS—Today, State Representative John Becker introduced House Bill 538, the Human Life Protection Act in the Ohio House of Representatives. This legislation would prohibit all abortions except those necessary to save the mother’s life and would take effect only if and when the United States Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade. This legislation has already been enacted in eight other states.
“It’s time to look toward the future,” said Representative Becker. “The Human Life Protection Act affirms what we already know: that Ohio is a pro-life state. If and when the Supreme Court decides to return the issue of abortion back to the states, we want to be prepared for what comes next.”
The Human Life Protection Act would ban all abortions in Ohio in the event that Roe v. Wade is overturned, returning the power to the states to set abortion policy. The legislation applies felony penalties for abortionists but provides immunity to mothers.
“Ohio Right to Life is excited work with Representative Becker in bringing forward this crucial legislation,” says Stephanie Ranade Krider, Vice President of Ohio Right to Life. “This legislation positions Ohio to protect vulnerable babies from the violence of abortion from day one, as soon as the state has the ability to do so. The pro-life movement stands ready to serve these women and their children, whether that is through the over 140 pregnancy centers in our state, or new initiatives that may be necessary to provide critical supports. No woman should feel like she must choose between her own future or her baby’s.”
“I am proud of Ohio for recognizing the sanctity of all human life,” said Senator Kristina Roegner, sponsor of the Human Rights and Heartbeat Protection Act. “We fight relentlessly to defend those must vulnerable among us, those without a voice, the most innocent, the unborn.”
Criminal penalties in the bill apply only to “forced terminations” and would not punish doctors treating women who have experienced miscarriage or after-miscarriage care. The bill criminalizes the sale of abortion-inducing drugs, but does not criminalize contraceptive drugs.
The Human Life Protection Act is a priority bill in Ohio Right to Life’s legislative agenda and strategy. Ohio Right to Life will work with Representative Becker, the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate to ensure this legislation is passed.
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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