A hearing is set for Wednesday morning on a bill that would immediately ban abortion in Ohio if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe versus Wade in a Mississippi case that will be argued in December.
The bill is known as a "trigger ban" and it would also make illegal the "promoting abortion” possessing, selling or advertising “drugs, medicine, instrument or device to cause an abortion.”
Supporters of legal abortion chanted outside the Statehouse on Tuesday then marched into the Senate and unfurled a banner before being escorted out. Among them was 85-year-old Sylvia Holmes of Medina who worries Roe versus Wade will be overturned.
“I have great fear that it could. That’s why we are here," Holmes said.
State senators left the chamber as the abortion ban protestors were entering the chamber.
There is an exception in the bill for abortions when they pose a serious risk to the pregnant person’s life. But that person is required to submit a written certification and ensure there are “appropriate neonatal services for premature infants must exist at the facility where the physician performs or induces the abortion.”
Aileen Day of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, calls the bill "extreme" and said it would cause Ohio women to have to travel out of state to get abortions. She said there have been 30 abortion bans and restrictions in Ohio since 2011.
The founder of Ohio’s Pro-Life Caucus backs the bill. Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) said they believe life begins at fertilization.
“We believe that life begins at fertilization. No child deserves to be killed by abortion. I am working hard to defend life here in Ohio and ensure that every child is protected," she said in a statement.
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