ACLU seeks to block Ohio's 'Heartbeat' bill

SANDUSKY — Conservative lawmakers in Ohio and several other states have revived America's debate over abortion by passing strict anti-abortion laws.The latest development in Ohio is a lawsuit filed Wednesday that seeks to block Ohio's new abortion ban.The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit in federal court, which seeks to overturn the "Heartbeat" bill passed into law in April and then signed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Former Gov. John Kasich vetoed a similar bill last year.The measure, S.B. 23, the "Human Rights and Heartbeat Protection Act," bans abortion when a human heartbeat can be detected. According to Ohio Right to Life, an ultrasound can detect a heartbeat within eight to 12 weeks. The ACLU says the measure would ban abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy.The ACLU is trying to keep the Heartbeat law from taking effect on July 10. Each side in the Ohio abortion debate insists that it's the other side who are extremists in the divisive issue. "The Heartbeat Bill is the next incremental step in our strategy to overturn Roe v. Wade," said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. "While other states embrace radical legislation to legalize abortion on demand through the ninth month of pregnancy, Ohio has drawn a line and continues to advance protections for unborn babies.""At six weeks, most people don't even know they're pregnant," said Kersha Deibel, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. "We're challenging this law because it would take away a person's right to make their own medical decisions before they even know they have a decision to make … Politicians have no right to dictate personal medical decisions and we will not stand for it."Abortion continues to be legal in all 50 states, at least for now, in the wake of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade. Anti-abortion advocates hope the right-tilting U.S. Supreme Court will revisit the issue as laws such as Ohio's are appealed.According to the ACLU, measures similar to Ohio's have passed in Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi. Other states are considering similar measures. In addition, Alabama has just approved a law that could punish doctors who perform abortions with life sentences in prison. The Alabama law also faces a court challenge. The Heartbeat Bill passed the Ohio House 56-40 on April 10. State Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk, and state Rep. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, voted for it. State Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, voted against it.The measure passed the Senate 18-13, also on April 10. Lawmakers voting for it included state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and state Sen. Dave Burke, R-Marysville. State Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, voted against it.DeWine signed the bill on April 11. On the same day, the Ohio ACLU announced it was preparing a lawsuit to block the measure.Mike DeWine