Columbus, Ohio, Dec 14, 2017 / 15:00 pm
On Friday, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a bill that will penalize doctors who perform abortions, if the abortion is chosen "in whole or in part," because the unborn child has received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
The bill passed the state's Senate 20-12 earlier this month.
Proponents of the law were optimistic that Kasich would approve the measure, given that the Republican governor has passed over a dozen laws which have limited abortion protections or funding in the past six years.
The law will charge physicians with a fourth-degree felony, and the potential of a revoked medical license, if they perform an abortion wholly or partially motivated by Down syndrome. Mothers would not face charges.