Ohio Legislature Approves Bill to Ban All Abortions After an Unborn Baby’s Heartbeat Begins

Last Tuesday, the Ohio state legislature gave final approve to legislation that would ban all abortions after an unborn baby’s heart begins to beat. An unborn child’s heart begins to beat at 22 days after conception or earlier.

As the Ohio legislature considers bills in the last days of lame duck session before the year’s end, significant amendments are being added to various laws to pass additional legislation. Yesterday, the Ohio Senate added Ohio’s Unborn Heartbeat Protection bill, which has been before the legislature for several years, as an amendment to House Bill 493 child abuse reporting law. The Senate has approved H.B. 493 with Heartbeat protection amendment 21-10.

Following that vote, the Ohio General Assembly approved the bill 56-39 and H.B. 493 with the heartbeat protection amendment now goes to pro-life Governor John Kasich for his potential signature.

In adding the pro-life measure to a health bill aimed at preventing child abuse and requirements for reporting of neglect by healthcare providers, state Rep. Kristina Roegner said it made sense to combine the two.

“They are both about protecting children, both the born and unborn,” Roegner said. “Today we can take a stand. We can stand up for the most innocent among us, the unborn. Today in Ohio, we put an end to the practice of killing babies while they’re still in the mother’s womb.”