How Ohio budget's new heartbeat law works - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports

By JULIE CARR SMYTH
AP Statehouse Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A new law on fetal heartbeat detection for abortion seekers was tucked into Ohio's recently passed state budget.

It shares similarities with the high-profile "heartbeat bill" debated and sidelined last session but also has key differences.

The 2-year, $62 billion operating budget also included several other measures. They limited government funding for Planned Parenthood clinics and public hospitals that provide abortions and prohibited rape counselors receiving taxpayer dollars from recommending abortion facilities to women impregnated by their attackers.

The fetal heartbeat law would have the broadest impact since it applies to virtually every abortion sought in the state.

It's an informed consent law, which means doctors must look for the heartbeat and inform the pregnant woman of what they find before performing the procedure. The abortion can still proceed with the woman's consent.

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