Ohio’s 6-week abortion ban on hold for 2 more weeks

Ohio’s six-week abortion ban will remain on hold for at least another two weeks, a Hamilton County judge ordered Tuesday.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christian Jenkins extended his temporary restraining order that put on hold a law banning doctors from performing abortions after cardiac activity is detected. He extended the temporary restraining order through Oct. 12.

That means abortions are legal in Ohio through 20 weeks gestation or 21 weeks and six days after the last period – at least for now.

Judge will hear next arguments on Ohio abortion ban Oct. 7

On Oct. 7, attorneys from Ohio’s abortion clinics and the state will present arguments on whether Jenkins should put the abortion ban on hold indefinitely.

In his first order, Jenkins, a Democrat, stated that the Ohio Constitution protected individuals’ right to an abortion.

Access to abortion was reduced dramatically in Ohio when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24 and a federal judge allowed the state’s six-week abortion ban to take effect hours later.

For three months, clinics sent most of their patients to surrounding states for procedures. Some were young victims of sexual assault. Others threatened suicide when told they had to leave the state, according to court filings.

Appeal of judge’s ruling, GOP legislation ahead for abortion in Ohio

Ohio’s abortion clinics filed a lawsuit in Hamilton County after waiting for the Ohio Supreme Court to take some action. However, justices did not immediately put Ohio’s six-week abortion ban on hold.

The future is murky for abortion access in Ohio. Jenkins is expected to block Ohio’s six-week abortion ban, but that decision will be appealed. And GOP lawmakers plan to ban nearly all abortions following the November elections.

Proponents of abortion access plan to place the issue before voters, but that will take time, signatures and money. The earliest voters might see abortion access on the ballot is 2023.