Abortion bills get attention

COLUMBUS

There are about a dozen scheduled or “as-needed” legislative session days scheduled between now and the end of the year.

I expect a few of those will probably be canceled, but there’s ample opportunity for lawmakers to get some work done before the holiday season.

Still, it could be a sleepier-than-usual end of the year; there aren’t a lot of hot-button bills needing attention at the moment.

The Ohio House and Senate made quick work of charter school reform after returning from their holiday recess. Though the House initially balked at Senate changes back in June, the two chambers worked out a compromise and passed a package of law changes that drew bipartisan support and praise from both charter-school cheerleaders and naysayers.

Action has not been as quick on a small-business tax-cut fix, which many expected to move after lawmakers arrived back in town last month. Progress on that bill has slowed as lawmakers work to make sure it has the intended effect of lowering tax bills.

Otherwise, there’s increasing attention on several abortion-related bills that are moving through committees in both chambers.

One, House Bill 294, would require the Ohio Department of Health to ensure public funds are being used for their intended purpose – the legislation lists breast and cervical cancer, HIV/AIDS initiatives and other specific programs – and not for abortions.

Blocking funds

Funds from such programs would be blocked for groups that perform abortions or have contracts or are affiliated with providers of such services.

Comparable legislation, Senate Bill 214, has had a first hearing in the Ohio Senate. Both bills are aimed at Planned Parenthood, following recordings about the group selling aborted-baby body parts.

“After viewing these videos, it was sickening for me to know that this organization, which is willing to ruthlessly dismember an unborn child in order to obtain a profit, is also partially funded by the taxpayers of the state of Ohio,” said Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina, primary sponsor of the Senate legislation.

A second bill that already has passed the Ohio Senate and is now moving through the Ohio House is Senate Bill 127, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Act, which would end abortions when an unborn child feels pain, or about 20 weeks after conception.

Current state law prohibits abortions at about 24 weeks, if a physician determines an unborn child could survive outside of the womb.

The legislation includes an exception for cases where the mother’s life is at risk or when a pregnancy presents “a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function....”

Proponent testimony has already been offered on all three of those bills, and opponents will get their chance to voice concerns.

There’s another bill that moved through the House committee process earlier this year and awaits a final floor vote in that chamber. HB 135 would ban abortions based solely on preterm diagnoses of Down syndrome.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see at least one of those bills move before the end of the year. SB 127 is furthest along in the process, but given the Republican majorities in the Legislature, all three likely would have the votes needed for enactment.

Marc Kovac is The Vindicator’s Statehouse correspondent.