Ohio Lower Court Grants Preliminary Injunction; Six-Week Abortion Ban Will Remain Blocked

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Today, the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas announced that it will grant abortion providers’ and advocates’ request for a preliminary injunction (PI) against Senate Bill 23 (SB 23), a law banning abortion at approximately six weeks of pregnancy in Ohio. The court had initially issued a temporary restraining order on September 14, allowing abortion services to resume in the state. As a result of the ruling, abortion up to 22 weeks of pregnancy will remain legal while litigation continues.

Statement from leaders from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio, Preterm-Cleveland, Women’s Med Group Professional Corporation, Northeast Ohio Women’s Center, Toledo Women’s Center, and Dr. Sharon Liner:

“We are thrilled with this second major victory and relieved that patients in Ohio can continue to access abortion as we work to fight this unjust and dangerous ban in court. The preliminary injunction will be in place for the duration of our case, which means abortions will be legal in Ohio for a period much, much longer than the temporary restraining order granted. This court ruling will provide significant relief to Ohio patients and clinics.

“We’ve already had a glimpse of the harm caused by Senate Bill 23 when it was in effect this summer, and we can’t go back. Ohioans deserve far better than the chaos and confusion that we’ve seen since the U.S. Supreme Court stripped us of our federal constitutional right to an abortion. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to fight for and protect Ohioans’ rights as guaranteed by the Ohio Constitution. We will now work to secure a permanent injunction.”

The court has asked for written findings of fact and conclusions of law to be submitted by the parties and then will issue a written order.