Fact Check: Ohio bill criminalizes abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest.

Fact Check: "Ohio bill criminalizes abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest."

What We Know

The claim that Ohio's abortion law criminalizes abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest is supported by multiple sources. Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Ohio's abortion law was reinstated, which prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around six weeks of pregnancy. The law allows exceptions only when the mother's life is at risk or if there is a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function (AP News, Washington Post).

Notably, Ohio's law does not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. This has been highlighted in discussions surrounding the case of a 10-year-old girl who was forced to travel to Indiana for an abortion after being raped, as Ohio law did not permit the procedure under her circumstances (ABC News, OAESV).

Analysis

The evidence indicates that Ohio's abortion law is indeed strict, with no provisions for exceptions in cases of rape or incest. This aligns with the broader trend observed in several states that have enacted similar laws following the Supreme Court's ruling. The Ohio law has been described as one of the most restrictive in the country, and it has been criticized for not accommodating the needs of victims of sexual violence (AP News, Washington Post).

While some political figures, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, have suggested that the law's exceptions could apply to certain cases, such as a minor victim of sexual assault, legal experts and analysts have clarified that the law does not explicitly provide for such exceptions (Washington Post). The Ohio Legislative Service Commission has confirmed that the law applies uniformly regardless of the circumstances of conception or the age of the mother (Washington Post).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include reputable news organizations and official legal documents. The AP and Washington Post are known for their journalistic integrity, and the Ohio Legislative Service Commission is a nonpartisan body that provides objective analysis of state laws.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Ohio's abortion law criminalizes abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest is accurate. The law allows abortions only in limited circumstances related to the mother's health and does not accommodate exceptions for victims of rape or incest. This has significant implications for individuals in such situations, as evidenced by the case of the 10-year-old girl who had to seek an abortion in another state.

Fact Check: Ohio bill criminalizes abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest.