Abortion & the Law
In the United States, modern abortion law started with the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, in which the Supreme Court held that the fundamental right to privacy extended to women's right to abortion. This made abortion legal in every state. However, in the years since Roe, there have been many changes and challenges that have affected national and state policies. Explore the resources in the sidebar to learn more about the history and current status of national abortion policy.
Ohio Law
In Ohio, abortion is legal through 24 weeks.*
There is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period between a woman's first meeting with a physician and when she is able to obtain an abortion. At least 24 hours before the abortion, the woman must be provided with mandatory state-prepared information.
Publicly funded health coverage (Medicaid) does not cover abortion services in Ohio, except when the life of the woman is at risk or in cases of rape or incest (when this has been reported to the police prior to the abortion).
Minors must have parental consent prior to an abortion or obtain a judicial bypass from Juvenile Court, unless they are married or emancipated.
There are also laws that restrict health agencies receiving public money from counseling or referring women for abortion.
*The Ohio laws regulating abortion after this point have been much contested. By federal order, later-term abortion is allowed to protect the life and health of the woman. However, it is restricted to certain procedures. (NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio has up-to-date information on the particulars of Ohio's later-term abortion laws and on current legislation affecting abortion.)
