COLUMBUS, OHIO -- The Ohio House and Senate passed HB 493 on Tuesday as an amendment to a child abuse and neglect bill that would ban abortion after a baby's heartbeat is detected. Known as the Unborn Heartbeat Protection Act, or the "heartbeat bill," this legislation has been before lawmakers for several years. The "heartbeat bill" is sponsored by Representative Barbara R. Sears and Representative Scott Ryan and now goes to Governor John Kasich, who has 10 days to sign it.
Liberty Counsel has offered pro bono counsel and defense for the "heartbeat bill," which would prohibit most abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The bill states: "Fetal heartbeat has become a key medical predictor that an unborn human individual will reach live birth."
President of Faith2Action Janet Porter, who was also instrumental in the passage of the "heartbeat bill," said, "I think it's going to take eternal vigilance for us to make sure that Governor Kasich maintains his pro-life promises. The fate of nearly 20,000 babies with beating hearts is in his hands."
""We applaud these Ohio lawmakers and Janet Porter for their role in the passage on the Unborn Heartbeat Protection Act," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "Over 54 million babies have been killed since the Roe v. Wade decision. This human genocide must end now. I urge Christians to flood Governor Kasich's office with calls demanding he sign this bill."
Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
