Reproductive Freedom Amendment
What does Ohio's proposed Reproductive Freedom Amendment do?
This amendment restores abortion rights in Ohio as they existed before the US Supreme Court's 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Specifically, the amendment:
Includes the right for every individual "to make and carry out one's own reproductive decisions" including abortion, contraception, fertility treatments, continuing a pregnancy, and miscarriage care
Permits abortions until fetal viability, which is the point in pregnancy at which a fetus has a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus
Allows abortions to be prohibited after viability except when, in the treating physician's professional judgment, it is necessary to protect the pregnant patient's life or health
Know the FACTS about the
Reproductive Freedom Amendment
MYTH:
This proposal will take away parental rights.
FACT:
False. This amendment specifically allows the State to adopt reproductive regulations that advance an “individual’s health in accordance with widely accepted and evidence-based standards of care.” Parental consent for medical procedures has always been considered part of medical standards of care. Abortion for a minor and parental consent is specifically addressed in Ohio law (O.R.C. 2151.85). This amendment would not change the current law.
MYTH:
This proposal will push sex changes on children.
FACT:
False. There IS NOT a single word in the proposed amendment about gender-affirming care, transition surgeries, or transgender rights. This amendment protects reproductive care. Clinicians DO NOT include gender-affirming care under the umbrella of reproductive care, as they are medically vastly different areas of care. In fact, an almost identical amendment passed in Michigan last year, and it has not been applied to transgender care.
MYTH:
This proposal will allow abortions up until birth.
FACT:
False. This proposed amendment specifically allows the State to prohibit abortion after viability (which is approximately 22 weeks) unless a physician deems it “necessary to protect the pregnant patient's life or health."
Review a more in-depth slideshow from the League of Women Voters here:
