The Ohio Senate Health committee heard the first testimony on Wednesday on a bill that would immediately ban abortion statewide if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to overturn Roe vs Wade in a case it will hear from Mississippi this December.
Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) said the bill will outlaw abortion the minute the U.S. Supreme Court allows that. And while it would levy hefty fines on doctors who perform abortions, and even create a new felony-level abortion crime, she said a person getting an abortion is not the target.
鈥淭his does not criminalize the woman at all,鈥� Roegner testified.
Jaime Miracle of NARAL Pro Choice Ohio disagrees.
鈥淟aws that shouldn鈥檛 prosecute people for actions during pregnancy are already being weaponized," Miracle said.
Miracle noted where a woman spent a year in jail before charges were overturned. This bill does allow for abortions if the pregnant person鈥檚 health is in danger, but opponents say the process for getting that exception is difficult, if not impossible.
On Tuesday, supporters of legal abortion chanted outside the Ohio Statehouse on Tuesday then marched into the Senate and unfurled a banner before being escorted out.
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