Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- The Ohio House on Wednesday approved a bill that will help stop women from being pressured or forced into a decision to have an abortion. The legislative chamber approved the pro-life bill on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote and it now heads to the Ohio Senate.

Rep. Michelle Schneider is the lead sponsor of H.B. 280, the Protecting Pregnant Women from Coercion & Violence Bill, that the House backed 89-7.

The measure would require abortion facilities to display a poster in their waiting rooms making it clear to women that no one can coerce or pressure them into having an abortion they really don't want.

This notice would indicate that, under Ohio law, an abortion can only be performed if the woman signs a consent form indicating she is consenting voluntarily and without coercion, Mike Gonidakis, director of Ohio Right to Life, told LifeNews.com.

It would also inform the woman that, if she is coerced into having an abortion, she should not sign a consent form and should inform abortion center employees.

"We are delighted that the Ohio House of Representatives has acted to protect pregnant women," Gonidakis said. "All Americans should join in opposing coerced abortion and violence against pregnant women."

The measure would also increase penalties for domestic violence against a woman in an attempt to get her to have an abortion, as long as the offender knew the woman was pregnant at the time of the assault.

The measure is similar to legislation in Missouri, that the Missouri House voted for on a lopsided bipartisan vote. However, abortion advocates have attacked the bill and the Senate never voted on it.

ACTION: Contact your member of the Ohio Senate and urge strong support for HB 280. You can determine your legislator with your zip code by going to http://www.senate.state.oh.us.

Related web sites:
Ohio House - http://www.house.state.oh.us
Ohio Right to Life - http://www.ohiolife.org