A bill that would have made Ohio’s abortion ban one of the strictest in the nation failed to pass the Republican-controlled Ohio House on Wednesday.
House Bill 248, known as the “heartbeat bill” would have prohibited abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected — as early as six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy. The bill made an exception if the life of the pregnant woman is in danger but not for victims of rape or incest.
The bill failed to get a majority of votes in the 98-member House with a final vote of 47-40. Eleven Republicans joined Democrats voting against the bill and 11 lawmakers did not vote.
Had the bill passed, it would have likely never made it to a Senate vote.
The legislation divided anti-abortion advocates, with many opposing the legislation because of fears it would trigger years of court battles over its constitutionality. Similar laws passed in Arkansas and North Dakota are on hold pending court challenges.
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