Ohio Bill Would Include Father’s Right’s in Abortion Decision-Making Process
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
July 17, 2009
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) — An Ohio lawmaker has re-introduced legislation that would include a father’s rights in the abortion decision-making process. Under Roe v. Wade, fathers are left out of the equation when a woman considers whether or not to have an abortion that would end the life of their child.
Rep. John Adams, a Republican from Sidney, wants to change that and the legislation he introduced today, House Bill 252, would require the biological father’s consent before an abortion can be done.
The bill would apply to any abortion and would require written consent before it can be done.
Adams told the Daily Reporter newspaper that abortion centers would "need to get consent from the biological father" before the abortion can proceed and he called the measure a "father’s right bill" to protect the interest of fathers who are given no say in the abortion process.
He also said the bill provides for criminal penalties for women seeking abortions who do not obtain consent properly.
"Providing a false biological father would be a first-degree misdemeanor the first time, which means not more than six months and jail, and a maximum $1,000 fine," Adams said. "And on the second occasion, providing false information would be considered a fifth-degree felony."
Adams told the newspaper that, in cases when the mother does not know the identity of the father, the abortion would be prohibited.
"There needs to be responsibility for actions," Adams said. "As someone who is pro-life, this is also an attempt and a hope to keep the two people who have created that child together, and I suppose if you just go back to the simple beginning, there is merit to chastity, and to young men and women waiting until marriage."
Adams said the bill offers exceptions in cases of rape or incest or when the life of the mother is threatened by the pregnancy.
This is the second time Adams has introduced the bill and he expects abortion advocates to oppose it when it comes to a committee debate and vote.
"The issue does stir emotion on both sides," Adams said. "When I introduced House Bill 287, I had some conversations that were less than pleasant."
He said Ohio Right to Life supports the bill and that he has more co-sponsors this time around, including a Democrat, Rep. Roland Winburn of Dayton.
Related web sites:
Ohio Legislature – https://www.legislature.state.oh.us
Ohio Right to Life – https://www.ohiolife.org
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