Governor John Kasich signed the viability abortion restriction into law -- a bi-partisan bill that passed the legislature by an overwhelming margin.
For background, read Abortion Viability Restriction Likely in Ohio and also read Pro-life Legislation Floods America
-- From "Gov. John Kasich signs late-term abortion ban into law" by Joe Guillen, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland.com 7/20/11
House Bill 78 bans abortions when a doctor determines a fetus can live outside the womb — a condition known as viability, which is typically when a pregnancy is 23 to 24 weeks along. Doctors would be required to test for viability when a woman is 20 weeks’ pregnant or more.
The law will take effect after 90 days.
Abortion-rights groups and most Democrats opposed the ban, saying it violates women's rights and there is no exception in the law for cases of rape or incest.
Five other states have passed the same legislation and 39 other states have some type of late-term abortion ban, according to Ohio Right to Life. The organization is confident the ban will withstand potential legal challenges.
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From "Ohio Gov. John Kasich signs late-term abortion bill" by Jo Ingles, Reuters 7/20/11
The only exception in the Ohio law is when the woman's life is in danger.
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, an abortion rights group, said in a statement that the law targets women with wanted pregnancies who experience "heart-breaking complications" such as a fetal anomaly or a cancer diagnosis.
The Ohio House of Representatives last month passed a bill banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detectable, which can be as early as six weeks. That bill is not expected to reach the state senate until September.
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From "Ohio Gov. John Kasich Signs Bill Banning Late-Term Abortions" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com 7/20/11
“Abortions can currently be performed in Ohio up to the moment of birth, but many doctors agree that a child can live outside the womb after just 22-24 weeks,” Senator Peggy Lehner, one of the bill sponsors, said. “This bill will prevent late-term abortions…and help better protect our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.”
Ohio Right to Life has lobbied for the bill, saying it is strong pro-life legislation that will protect women, save babies’ lives and is part of an overall national strategy to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The Late-Term Abortion Ban would require physicians to test the viability of an unborn child if the mother were seeking an abortion at 20 weeks or later into her pregnancy. If the child is found to be able to live outside the mother’s womb, the abortion cannot be performed, except in circumstances where the pregnancy is a threat to the mother’s health. The measure also contains language making it clear a mental health exception can’t be used to get around the ban — especially since a substantial amount of research shows abortions pose mental health risks for women.
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