Abortion heartbeat bill proposed in both Ohio House, Senate

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican lawmakers in both chambers of the Ohio Legislature are now pushing measures to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

A version of the so-called heartbeat bill was introduced by Sen. Kristina Roegner on Tuesday, a day after fellow Republicans in the House submitted theirs.

Similar measures approved by lawmakers were twice vetoed by former GOP Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik). But new Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has indicated he'd sign it.

It would be among the most restrictive abortion measures in the country. A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they're pregnant.

Kasich signed other abortion-limiting legislation but said enacting the heartbeat bill would lead to a costly court battle and it would likely be found unconstitutional.