An Ohio House committee is set to hear a bill Tuesday that would ban elective abortions as early as six weeks of pregnancy, which is before many women even know they're pregnant. Opponents are concerned about changes in what was previously known as the "Heartbeat Bill."
The bill was renamed the “Human Rights Protection Act" by the Senate. NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio’s Jaime Miracle says doctors, nurses and others are upset about recent changes to it.
“It requires invasive medical procedures. It imposes a $10,000 fine on medical professionals," Miracle says.
The House Health Committee's version of the bill makes clear that transvaginal ultrasound isn't exempted from use in detecting a heartbeat. That's changed from the version the Ohio Senate approved last month.
Miracle says the bill is being rushed and people who have important points to make are not being heard. If this bill passes in this form, the Senate will have to approve the changes.
The measure's backers seek to challenge the legal standard of viability established in the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision.
Previous versions of this bill passed and were vetoed twice by former Gov. John Kasich. But Gov. Mike DeWine says he will sign a "Heartbeat Bill."
