Ohio abortion 'heartbeat' bill under review

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Republican leader of the Ohio Senate says it is too soon to say whether his chamber would vote before the end of the year on a bill that would ban abortions in the state after the first detectable heartbeat.

Senate President Tom Niehaus said today that a group of lawmakers he’s convened continues to research the measure.

The legislation called the “heartbeat bill” has divided the state’s anti-abortion community. Ohio Right to Life has taken issue with the proposal, fearing a legal challenge could jeopardize other abortion limits in Ohio and expand access to legal abortions.

Niehaus has said that he wants the research group to report back later this month after vetting any legal issues. The measure passed the Ohio House in June.