![Ohio legislature passes abortion ‘heartbeat bill’](https://www.jurist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/jurist-white-text.png)
The Ohio General Assembly voted 18-13 Wednesday to pass a bill that bans abortions after the fetus has “a detectable fetal heartbeat,” which usually occurs during the sixth week of pregnancy.
The bill has an exemption to save the mother’s life, but no exemption for rape and incest.
Senator Kristina Roegner introduced the bill into the Senate in February, which was then approved in March. The House passed an amended version on Wednesday, and the Senate quickly approved the amendments.
The bill will have to be sent to Governor Mike DeWine, who said he will sign the bill.
Roegner said, “All children, born and unborn, deserve our respect and our protection throughout every stage of their life.”
The National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws called the bill, “cruel and inhumane.”
Georgia also passed bill last week banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat could be detected. In March Mississippi’s governor signed a heartbeat bill into law. That same month Tennessee’s house approved a heartbeat bill.