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Ohio Legislature Passes Bill That Bans Abortions At Point Down Syndrome Diagnosis Is Made

Front page of Down Syndrome Abortion bill
Ohio Legislature
Front page of Down Syndrome Abortion bill

The Ohio Senate has passed another abortion ban – this one aimed at a specific prenatal diagnosis. 

By nearly two to one, majority Republicans approved the House-passed bill that would make it illegal for a doctor to perform an abortion after a Down Syndrome diagnosis. But Democratic Sen. Joe Schiavoni thinks it is a way to persuade doctors from performing abortions.

“This is another unconstitutional step toward taking a woman’s right to choose away.”

Republican President Larry Obhof isn’t worried about the legislation’s legality.

“You know we will see how it goes in court if that’s where it ends up.”

Gov. John Kasich has said in the past that he would sign this ban, which has been passed in two other states.

Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.