Ohio Republicans plan bill to stop abortions if child's heartbeat is detected

COLUMBUS — Republicans in the Ohio House plan to introduce legislation prohibiting abortions in cases where the unborn child’s heartbeat is detected.

The legislation would be the most restrictive abortion ban in the country, stopping the practice within weeks of conception. And it could set a precedent for other states eyeing comparable restrictions.

“When a heartbeat of a baby is detected, that baby will be protected from abortion,” said Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, a Republican from Napoleon and primary sponsor of the legislation, which is supposed to be formally filed next week.

“It’s really as simple as that. ... As technology improves in medicine, as it continually does, that protection will move closer and closer to conception, which is I think for many of us what our ultimate goal of protecting life is,” Wachtmann added.

He unveiled the legislation, titled the Ohio Human Heart Protection Act, during a press conference today near the Statehouse that featured hundreds of red heart-shaped balloons. More than 40 Republicans have already signed on as bill co-sponsors.