House Committee Begins Hearings on Legislation to Prohibit State Funding of Death in Ohio

COLUMBUS—State Representatives Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) this week provided sponsor testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on House Bill 72, legislation to prohibit all forms of state funded death in Ohio. 

The bill will abolish the death penalty in Ohio, prohibit the use of state funds for assisted suicide, and clarify the state’s existing prohibition against the use of state funds for abortion. 

“It is time for Ohio to not just be fiscally responsible, but morally responsible and committed to the dignity of every human life at every stage by prohibiting state funded death,” said Schmidt during sponsor testimony.

“Our state should focus its taxpayer spending on upholding a consistent ethic of life,” said Mathews. “By prohibiting public funds from being used with the intention to terminate human life, this legislation sends a clear and uncompromising message: Ohio will not fund death.”

The bill also links each issue with a non-severability clause, emphasizing the unity of purpose to uplift the sanctity of life and prohibit state funded death in all circumstances. 

House Bill 72 awaits further consideration from the House Judiciary Committee.