Ohio Legislature Using Backdoor Antics to Push Anti-Choice Legislation
Cleveland, OH-NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, the states leading protector of privacy and the right to choose, today is appalled by the actions of the Ohio State Legislature. Their sneak attack on a woman’s right to choose wasn’t limited to the passage of the “Choose Life” license plates. They also attached the Pharmacist Refusal Clause as an amendment to SB 196 where it was passed by the House in the middle of the night. The measure now goes to the Senate for approval. Although the legislative session is now officially closed in the Senate, Governor Taft is expected to call legislators back for a special session next week. The Pharmacist Refusal Clause could then be voted on by the Senate as an amendment, without the benefit of even one hearing. The Ohio Legislature passed these measures at 2:00 a.m. this morning. If Governor Taft signs “Choose Life” license plates into law, legal action is expected. The issuance of “Choose Life” license plates has been found unconstitutional in a number of rulings in the federal courts. In Louisiana, the Fifth Circuit ruled that their state’s entire specialty license plate scheme was unconstitutional. As a result, all specialty license plates were halted. NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director, Kellie Copeland, said “The far right will stop at nothing to advance its agenda, including suspending its own rules to force through legislation at 2:00 a.m. I suppose they acted in the middle of the night because they know that the vast majority of Ohioans oppose their efforts. But the people of Ohio will only stand for so much. Allowing a pharmacist to refuse to fill a woman’s prescription for birth control pills (a safe and legally prescribed medication) makes no sense at all. What’s next vegetarian’s working at Wendy’s refusing to sell hamburgers? Patients’ rights must come first. Women must be guaranteed access to the medications prescribed by their doctors. Birth control pills prevent pregnancy, they do not cause abortion.” #### Contact: Kellie Copeland 216-283-2180
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