Latest news with #R-Troy
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers seek to ban abortions in the state, treat the procedure as homicide
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A pair of Ohio lawmakers are attempting to ban and criminalize abortion, in a move that directly challenges voters' decision to enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution. Reps. Levi Dean (R-Xenia) and Jonathan Newman (R-Troy) introduced the 'Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act' on Wednesday, which would grant embryos and fetuses the same legal protections as citizens under state law from the moment of fertilization. Under the bill, having an abortion could lead to homicide charges. The proposed ban only grants exceptions for 'life-saving procedures' on pregnant women and spontaneous miscarriages. Sweeping property tax reform may save Ohioans $850 The legislation conflicts with a constitutional amendment that was passed by about 56% of voters in 2023, which protects Ohioans' right to make decisions about abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care and pregnancy. A nonprofit working with the lawmakers, End Abortion Ohio, announced the bill in a news release on Tuesday. The organization claimed Ohio's constitutional amendment protecting abortion should be 'treated as null' because it violates the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution by denying 'preborn persons' the right to life. 'In the Holy Scriptures, All men are created equal, being made in the image of God,' the news release states. 'We must obey God rather than men, and we call upon our governing authorities to follow in that obedience.' Dan Kobil, a professor at Capital University Law School, said that any 'rational court' would rule the legislation unconstitutional if it were to pass the Statehouse. Ohio State lost $29 million in three months through DOGE grant cuts 'The problem for the legislators is that they are bound by the Ohio constitution and cannot enact laws that are contrary to the Ohio constitution,' Kobil said. 'Given how directly this violates the Ohio constitution, this appears to be little more than a publicity stunt.' Kobil further said the organization's argument regarding the U.S. Constitution would not hold up, as the state legislature does not have the authority to 'finally enact' laws under the 14th Amendment. 'If Congress did enact a law saying something like this, then that could override the Ohio constitution, so federal laws do override state constitutions,' Kobil said. 'However, their problem is they're attempting to make a state law that overrides Ohio's constitution, and they've simply not got the authority to do that.' The reproductive rights group Abortion Forward criticized the lawmakers for introducing a bill that directly contradicts voters' choice to enshrine reproductive rights, and stated the effort would strip Ohioans of their ability to make their own healthcare decisions. 'These out-of-touch anti-abortion extremists want to give legal rights to fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses,' Executive Director Kellie Copeland said in a statement. 'Bills like this embolden law enforcement to surveil and investigate people for their actions during pregnancy – families and loved ones could be targeted by law enforcement for helping someone access an abortion, miscarriage care, or even IVF.' Columbus among most bedbug-infested cities in the country, recent analysis finds While Ohio lawmakers have introduced numerous abortion restriction bills over the years, the new act marks the first one that would provide equal protection to embryos and fetuses under the law, according to the news release. Ohio Right to Life, a nonprofit that has long lobbied for abortion restrictions, told NBC4 it does not support the proposed legislation. 'At no time have we supported criminalizing birth mothers who abort their children,' President Mike Gonidokis said. 'Now is not the time to target pregnant women with misguided legislation, but to embrace the fact that women need real choices and life-affirming help to have a healthy child and raise them in Ohio. This legislation does not meet this standard.' Since the beginning of this year, Republican lawmakers in 10 other states have introduced bills that aim to charge pregnant women with homicide if they receive an abortion. Currently, no state legally defines abortion as homicide. The sponsors of Ohio's incoming bill did not immediately answer a request for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Abstinence, patriotism and monogamy all required curriculum under new Ohio bill
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio lawmakers proposed a bill that would require public schools to teach character education, including abstinence, patriotism and respect for religious faith. House Bill 269 would require public schools to teach grades 7-12 about a success sequence for a good life, including 15 distinct morals like punctuality and respect for authority. Under the bill, dubbed the THRIVE Act, districts could also invite religious and political groups to provide after-school instruction about morality. State, federal cannabis changes threaten Ohio festival's future 'The model curriculum shall consist of the value of finishing high school, working full-time, getting married before having children and instruction in the following character traits and fundamental values deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the United States,' the bill reads. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta) and Jonathan Newman (R-Troy). Ritter said the idea came after speaking with employers and colleges about a lack of soft skills in applicants, like interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence. 'When you talk about 'soft skills,' you are really talking about virtue,' Ritter said. 'Representative Newman and I thought it was important to bring attention to these long-time American values by reintroducing them to our schools in an intentional way.' The bill lists these 15 virtues as required education: Trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality and loyalty Responsibility, including hard work, accountability, diligence, good judgment, perseverance and self-control Care for family, including parents, siblings, and future spouses and children Kindness and generosity toward others Respect and care for human life Respect for parental authority Respect for parents' obligations to children Respect for the property of other people Respect for legitimate authority and law Respect for patriotism, service to the community and concern for the common good Respect for religious faith, morality, wisdom and knowledge Respect for lifelong marriage, sexual fidelity within marriage and sexual abstinence outside of marriage Gratitude Charity Courage The bill would also require districts to teach the success sequence: graduating high school, getting a job and getting married before having children. 'Of course, this isn't the only pathway to a happy life,' Ritter said via email. 'Many people raised by single parents are successful. But the data shows that following this formula is the EASIEST way to be successful.' Fire engine shortage felt nationwide, not just Columbus The same sequence was introduced as possible required curriculum in the Senate earlier this year, although it has not advanced out of committee. As part of the character education program, school districts would be allowed to invite partisan groups into district instructional buildings after school for optional instruction. With parent consent, these programs would expand on the success sequence or character education through a philosophical, historical, traditional or religious lens. Under H.B. 269, districts could deny groups if the subject matter is not relevant, but they cannot otherwise exclude groups because of their viewpoints, including religious or political groups. Newman said this would be optional at no extra cost for school districts, adding that 'reinforcement is key.' Some of the character traits are already included in Ohio's learning standards. Ohio's sexual education standards emphasize abstinence, and the state's social emotional learning standards include things like responsibility and respect. Columbus social media influencer pleads guilty to $20 million Ponzi scheme When asked how some of the skills, like abstinence or fidelity, relate to building stronger interpersonal skills, Ritter reiterated that the bill does not outline the only path to success, just a strong one. Ritter said the bill is 'pro-public-school' and 'pro-teacher' in introducing concepts and skills that allow students to prosper. The bill had its first hearing in the House Education Committee on June 3 but does not have a second hearing scheduled at the time of publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
