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Ohio Right to Life Announces New Legislative Agenda
January 29, 2019
Heartbeat Bill Identified as Top Legislative Priority
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jamieson Gordon
DATE: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, Ohio Right to Life released its 2019-2020 Legislative Agenda. Headlining the slate of six pro-life initiatives is the Human Heartbeat Protection Act. This legislation would prohibit abortion when a human heartbeat can be detected.
Pro-life Ohio Senators Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) and Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) will sponsor the legislation, and co-sponsors include Senate President Larry Obhof, and Senators Bob Peterson and Matt Huffman, members of the Senate Republican leadership team.
“A detectable heartbeat is the clearest indicator that life is present,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “Ohio law should recognize this reality and protect unborn babies with a heartbeat. Ohio continues to lead the nation in advancing pro-life policy and we are excited to engage our pro-life legislature and Governor. We believe that the Human Heartbeat Protection Act is the next step in our incremental approach to end abortion-on-demand.”
Along with the Human Heartbeat Protection Act, Ohio Right to Life will also pursue the following:
• Abortion Trafficking Prevention Act – Prohibits the exchange of any form of compensation for fetal tissue or organs, and would describe the legal penalties for engaging in this trade.
• Unborn Child Dignity Act – Requires the humane burial or cremation of an unborn child’s remains following an abortion and increases informed consent.
• Abortion Pill Reversal Information Act – Requires abortion facilities to inform women that chemical abortions can possibly be reversed to save their unborn baby’s life.
• Telemedicine Abortion Ban – Prohibits the use of telemedicine for the purpose of providing abortion-inducing drugs.
• Pregnancy and Parenting Support Act – Provides funding for the work of life-affirming pregnancy centers across the state.
“In the last eight years, Ohio Right to Life has seen 21 pro-life initiatives signed into law,” said Gonidakis. “We respectfully urge our pro-life friends in the Ohio Legislature to prioritize these pieces of legislation, so that human dignity can be preserved in Ohio, and more information and resources can be given to women.”
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.