Preterm Cleveland, Inc. v. Kasich
What's at Stake
The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Ohio have filed a lawsuit challenging three controversial abortion-related amendments passed in June as part of the state budget bill. The suit alleges all three amendments violate the Ohio Constitution’s "single subject" rule and are therefore unconstitutional.
Summary
One of the amendments in question bans public hospitals from making transfer agreements with abortion clinics. Another requires clinics to follow a government script when dealing with patients and to present those patients with evidence of a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion or face criminal charges. A third amendment creates a new state "parenting and pregnancy" program that siphons state money directly into private organizations that are forbidden from mentioning abortion services.
The suit was filed on behalf of Preterm, a Cleveland women's health clinic that provides contraception, birth control, pregnancy counseling, and abortion services.
Press Releases
ACLU Announces Lawsuit Challenging Three Ohio Budget Amendments Restricting Reproductive Rights