Fact Check: New Ohio Bill Could Criminalize Those Who Have Abortions, Not Just Providers
What We Know
Recently, Ohio lawmakers have proposed a new bill, known as the "Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act," which aims to ban almost all abortions and criminalize the act of having an abortion, not just the providers who perform the procedure. This bill is set to overturn a constitutional amendment passed by voters in November 2023 that enshrined the right to abortion in Ohio's constitution, allowing abortions before viability (approximately 20 weeks) (ABC News).
The proposed legislation would classify abortion as homicide, thereby subjecting women who undergo the procedure to criminal charges. The only exceptions noted in the bill would be for spontaneous miscarriages or to save the life of the pregnant woman (ABC News, Ohio Capital Journal). This shift represents a significant change in Ohio's legal landscape regarding reproductive rights, as it moves to hold individuals who seek abortions accountable under the law.
Analysis
The claim that the new Ohio bill could criminalize those who have abortions is supported by multiple sources. According to ABC News, the bill explicitly states that it would criminalize the act of having an abortion, which aligns with the assertion made in the claim. Furthermore, the bill's proponents, such as anti-abortion advocate Austin Beigel, have indicated that the legislation is designed to grant "equal protection" to pre-born humans, which would fundamentally alter how abortion is treated legally in Ohio (ABC News).
Critically evaluating the sources, ABC News is a reputable outlet known for its journalism standards, providing a detailed account of the bill's implications and the responses from both supporters and opponents. The Ohio Capital Journal, another reliable source, corroborates the claim by stating that the bill would indeed treat abortion as homicide, further emphasizing the potential criminalization of women who seek abortions (Ohio Capital Journal).
On the other hand, some sources, such as the Democrats.org release, highlight the extreme nature of the bill and its potential implications for reproductive rights, suggesting that it could lead to broader restrictions on reproductive health services, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and contraception (Democrats.org). This perspective adds context to the claim, illustrating the potential for widespread impacts beyond just abortion.
Conclusion
The claim that the new Ohio bill could criminalize those who have abortions, not just providers, is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources indicates that the proposed legislation explicitly seeks to impose criminal penalties on individuals who undergo abortions, marking a significant departure from previous legal frameworks in Ohio. The bill's intent to classify abortion as homicide further solidifies this conclusion, demonstrating a clear shift towards criminalizing personal reproductive choices.
Sources
- Ohio lawmakers to introduce bill banning abortion, criminalizing the procedure
- Republican lawmakers in Ohio to propose total abortion and IVF ban
- Ohio Republicans Introduce Bill That Would Charge Women Who Receive Abortions with Homicide
- Ohio abortion bill would ban all abortions, declare it homicide
