Ohio 'heartbeat' bill sponsor clarifies confusion

COLUMBUS (AP) — The sponsor of an Ohio bill that would impose the nation’s most-stringent abortion limit has taken responsibility for some confusion over proposed changes to the measure that caused hearings on the bill to be suspended last month.

A Dec. 15 letter written by state Rep. Lynn Wachtmann sheds new light on the sudden hold that was put on the divisive legislation dubbed the “heartbeat bill.” Backers had believed it was headed toward passage before the holiday break.

In the letter obtained by The Associated Press, Wachtmann told the leader of the Ohio Senate that “miscommunication” with his office resulted in the revisions reaching only the vice chairman of the Senate’s health committee, and not the chairman who was conducting the hearings.

“I would like to take full responsibility for the confusion that has recently ensued with respect to the amendments offered for this bill, and I apologize for any inconvenience,” wrote Wachtmann, a Napoleon Republican.

The AP obtained a copy of his letter through a public-records request.

Senate President Tom Niehaus halted hearings on the bill on the last scheduled day of the 2011 legislative session, saying lawmakers needed more time to weigh the roughly 20 amendments proposed by bill supporters.