COLUMBUS—The Ohio House voted 59-33 today to pass the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, Senate Bill 157, sponsored by Senators Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City).

Along with ensuring that infants who survive botched abortions will receive appropriate life-saving medical care, SB 157 protects taxpayer dollars from funding the killing of unborn children by preventing doctors who work for state-funded hospitals and medical schools from contracting with abortion clinics. This provision could potentially shut down two abortion clinics—Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio and Women's Med Center in Dayton—who rely on state-funded doctors for their services.

The following statement is from Center for Christian Virtue Legislative Liaison Nilani Jawahar:

“Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry proved yet again that they never truly cared about women's health—only their profits—when they fought against this life-saving law. Thankfully, the Ohio Legislature sent a strong message today that every child’s life is valuable, no matter their size, ability, or location.

“By passing SB 157, the Legislature also protected Ohio taxpayers by ensuring that our state has nothing to do with the destruction of our most vulnerable, the unborn.

"Center for Christian Virtue and all pro-life Ohioans are grateful for Senator Terry Johnson, Senator Steve Huffman, Senate President Matt Huffman, and Speaker of the House Bob Cupp for continuing to advance the pro-life cause to protect all lives.”

SB 157 now heads to the Ohio Senate for a concurrence vote on a technical amendment the House included. If the Senate concurs, the bill will then go to Governor DeWine for approval.

Read the bill here.

For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or info@ccv.org.

As Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. 

###

Updated 12/09/21 to reflect that SB 157 needs a concurrence vote by the Ohio Senate before heading to Governor DeWine for approval.