Ohio senate, house approve bill banning abortions once heartbeat is detected

The Ohio state house and Senate have approved a bill that could outlaw abortion after an unborn baby's heartbeat is detected, which normally occurs within six weeks of gestation.

According to a report from Columbus Dispatch, the House has approved the proposal in the past, but it failed to pass the Senate. On Tuesday, the Senate voted 21-10 to pass the "heartbeat bill." It went to the House later that day when representatives voted 56-39 in its favor.

The bill, which was inserted as an amendment to a measure dealing with child abuse, must now be signed into law by Gov. John Kasich. Republican lawmakers have previously failed to pass the bill due to concerns that it would be ruled unconstitutional in federal courts.

Senate President Keith Faber said that the bill has a better chance now because of a new president and new Supreme Court appointees.

Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus Chair Kathy DiCristofaro described the measure as "cruel" and "plainly unconstitutional" and pointed out that it does not make exceptions for women who are victims of incest or rape.

Several states have considered a similar measure in the past, but only the State of Arkansas and North Dakota have passed it. However, the laws in both states have been considered unconstitutional and illegal by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio issued a statement in response to the bill's passage, saying: "The unconstitutional six-week abortion ban, known as the 'Heartbeat Bill,' would block access to safe and legal abortion before most women even know they're pregnant."

"The amendment has no exceptions in the bill for rape, incest, or to protect the health of the woman and would criminalize doctors who perform abortion procedures, regardless of the reason," it continued.

Some pro-life groups have expressed their skepticism about the bill. Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis said that Faber and other lawmakers are just caught up in "Trumpmania."

According to Stream, Right to Life Northeast Ohio did not support the bill because of "the potential negative impact the bill could have on current law" despite its "good intentions."

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Kris Jordan, said that passing the bill was "just flat out the right thing to do. It affords the most important liberty of all — the opportunity to live."