Fetal heartbeat bill becomes law in Ohio

A ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law in Ohio on Friday, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. Enforcement of Ohio's 2019 "heartbeat" ban had been on hold for nearly three years under a federal court injunction. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost asked Friday for that to be dissolved because of the high court's ruling, and U.S. Judge Michael Barrett agreed hours later. Two trigger bills are on hold in the Ohio Legislature, but a key legislative leader has said he anticipates needing to write new legislation after the decision is reversed that more carefully reflects the actual ruling. That all but certainly would not happen until lawmakers return to the capital after the November election. The Legislature is controlled by Republicans who support restricting or banning abortions, and Gov. Mike DeWine backs those efforts. He is up for reelection this year against Nan Whaley, a former Dayton mayor who supports abortion rights. Background Before Friday's ruling, Ohio did not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy; after that they were allowed only to save a patient's life or when their health is seriously compromised. But the state imposes a host of other restrictions, including parental consent for minors, a required ultrasound, and in-person counseling followed by a 24-hour waiting period. Abortions are prohibited for the reason of a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis. Ohio also limits the public funding of abortions to cases of rape, incest or endangerment of the patient's life. It limits public employees' abortion-related insurance coverage and coverage through health plans offered in the Affordable Care Act health exchange to those same scenarios. Clinics providing abortions must comply with a host of regulations. What's next Activists are considering how to help Ohioans get abortions elsewhere. They may also mount a statewide ballot initiative that would embed the right to an abortion in the state constitution, though that could not happen before next year. Abortion opponents are weighing strategies for imposing a statewide abortion ban.