COLUMBUS- Pregnant women getting abortions would be asked to decide in writing whether their fetal remains should be buried or cremated under new Ohio legislation.
Republican state representatives previously announced the measure, though formally introduced it Thursday.
The proposal would require providers to document the woman’s decision and pay for disposing the fetal remains. Sponsors say the bill pertains only to abortions, not miscarriages. There’s a similar bill in the Senate.
Abortion rights advocates say the legislation is intended to “shame women” who get abortions. Backers say it protects the dignity of the unborn.
“With the disgusting revelations that Planned Parenthood has been contracting with companies that dump the remains of aborted infants into landfills, it is important that we in the Ohio General Assembly ensure that such practices will never again occur in our state,” said Rep. Robert McColley (R-Napoleon) who has co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield).
A state attorney general’s recent report criticizes Planned Parenthood for disposing of fetal remains in landfills. The group says it follows Ohio law and calls the report “inflammatory.”
Lawmakers are on break until the new year.