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Title: Ohio judge blocks state’s six-week abortion ban for 14 days
Originally reported on www.cincinnati.com by Jessie Balmert
200000048 – World Newser
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Ohio judge blocks state’s six-week abortion ban for 14 days
A Hamilton County judge temporarily blocked Ohio’s six-week abortion ban for 14 days. The Wednesday decision restores access to the procedure for up to 20 weeks ? at least for now.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christian Jenkins, a Democrat, ruled that the state Constitution might protect Ohioans’ right to an abortion. While the restraining order is in effect, Ohio’s abortion providers will be able to offer the procedure up until 20 weeks into pregnancy.
“No great stretch is required to find that Ohio law recognizes a fundamental right to privacy, procreation, bodily integrity and freedom of choice in health care decision making,” Jenkins wrote.
The decision marks the first significant shift in abortion access in Ohio since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
The decision will pause plans to close Women’s Med in Kettering, the Dayton area’s sole abortion provider, a spokeswoman said. They will start doing surgeries next week, she added.
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, Ohio’s Republican leaders asked the court to enact a 2019 law that banned doctors from performing abortions after cardiac activity is detected. That law eliminated abortions performed before about six weeks into pregnancy. At that point, many don’t know they are pregnant.
Abortion clinics filed a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court, trying to block the six-week abortion ban. But the Court did not immediately block the case. Two months later, abortion advocates were tired of waiting so they filed a new lawsuit in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
Ohio Right to Life president Mike Gonidakis accused abortion providers of forum shopping to get the decision they wanted.
“We are more than confident that the heartbeat law will go back into effect relatively soon,” Gonidakis said. “Further, we can assure pro-life Ohio that in the near future Ohio will become abortion-free, regardless what this local judge ruled today. We will prevail.”
Jenkins, during a hearing last week, said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost should apologize for doubting the existence of a 10-year-old rape victim who obtained an abortion in Indiana.
“We’re reviewing the judge’s decision and will consult with the Governor’s administration on next steps,” Yost spokeswoman Bethany McCorkle said.
Read the decision below:
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
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