The Ohio House of Representatives has adopted a bill banning abortions as soon as a foetal heartbeat is detected. The decision was passed by 65 votes to 30. The Senate should vote with the same margin. The outgoing governor is opposed to this bill but his successor, Mike DeWine, welcomes it. Republican Christina Hagan, who sponsored the proposal, explained that it was devised specifically to “overturn” Roe v. Wade[1] in the Federal Supreme Court.
The bill would make it a fifth-degree felony to perform an abortion after a foetal heartbeat is detected. This could carry a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of 2,500 dollars.
[1] Landmark decision handed down by the US Supreme Court in 1973 on the constitutionality of laws criminalising or limiting access to abortion.
Bioedge (17/11/2018)