COLUMBUS— An anti-abortion bill that even some pro-life advocates say goes too far in today’s legal environment cleared a legislative hurdle by a scant one vote Wednesday on its way to a possible vote of the full House.

The so-called Heartbeat Bill, which would ban most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, passed the House Health and Aging Committee by a vote of 12-11. It would be the most restrictive abortion law in the nation, closing the window for a legal abortion to roughly six weeks after conception.

Supporters know the law would be challenged in court, and they hope it will give the U.S. Supreme Court the tool to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

This is our moment to do what we’ve been working for, praying for, hoping for for 38 years…,’’ Janet Folger-Porter, president of Faith2Faith and a former legislative director for Ohio Right to Life, told the committee. “I encourage you to vote for House Bill 125, the Heartbeat Bill, to ensure that once a heartbeat is detected, the baby will be protected. It’s our best chance to save the most lives.’’

However, the board of Ohio Right to Life fears the bill would instead invite the high court to strike down Ohio’s law, reaffirm Roe, and set back Ohio’s anti-abortion cause at a time when the organization is pushing other less restrictive bills it believes will pass constitutional muster.

“I’m not normally the kind of person to back down from a fight, but sometimes you have to,’’ said Rep. Lorraine Fende (D., Willowick), a pro-life Democrat who voted against the bill in committee. “I’m just concerned that if this loses, it will strengthen Roe v. Wade.’’

The Heartbeat Bill makes an exception for cases in which the life of the mother is endangered, but a doctor who performs any other abortion once the heartbeat of a fetus is detected using standard medical practice would be guilty of a fifth-degree felony. That would carry up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Before voting, the committee removed a provision of the original bill that would have also provided for an exception when the health of the mother is endangered. The committee voted down Democratic amendments to add an exception for women who are victims of rape or incest.

The committee also defeated an amendment offered by Rep. Todd McKenney (R., Akron) to delay the effective date of the law to the end of 2012 in hopes that any court challenge it might attract would not interfere with another abortion law backed by Right to Life that also passed a Senate committee on Wednesday.

That bill would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of gestation. Currently, an abortion in Ohio is legal through the entire nine months of pregnancy.

Two Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition to the bill, which was sponsored by the committee’s chairman, Rep. Lynn Wachtmann (R., Napoleon). All members of the committee from northwest Ohio— Reps. Wachtmann, Barbara Sears (R., Monclova), Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green), and Bruce Goodwin (R., Defiance)— supported the bill.

“Interesting point is that the bill passed, but with bipartisan opposition,’’ said Michael Gonidakis, executive director of Ohio Right to Life.
 
Contact Jim Provance at: jprovance@theblade.com, or 614-221-0496.

First Published March 30, 2011, 9:05 p.m.