Ohio Bill Prohibiting Abortion if the Fetus Has or May Have Down Syndrome (SB 164)

SB 164 prohibits a person from performing, inducing, or attempting to perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant individual who is seeking the abortion because of a test result indicating Down Syndrome in a fetus or a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome in a fetus.

Anyone who violates this law would be guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.  A physician may have their medical license revoked by the state medical board and be liable in a civil action if they are found to have violated this provision.

Reporting Requirements

When filling about abortion reports, the bill requires a physician to indicate that the attending physician did not have knowledge that the pregnant patient was seeking the abortion , in whole or in part, because of any of the following:

• A test result indicating Down syndrome;
• A prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome;
• Any other reason to believe that a fetus has Down syndrome.

---

Related Legislation

Companion bill to HB 214.

Similar to HB 135, which failed to pass in 2015.

---

Latest Action

Passed the senate on November 15, 2017, by a 20-12 vote.

Passed the house on December 13, 2017.

Signed into law by Gov. John Kasich (R) on December 22, 2017.

This law is currently blocked.

---

People