Ohio House Passes "SHE WINS" Act

COLUMBUS—State Representatives Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) are pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives today passed the “SHE WINS” Act, legislation that ensures a woman’s right to make a fully informed decision about an elective abortion without modifying provisions in the Ohio Constitution.  

The “SHE WINS” Act, championed by Odioso and Williams, requires elective abortions to meet the same informed consent standards applied to other forms of medical care. The provisions of the bill provide updated guidance for physicians when a pregnant woman seeks an elective abortion, ensuring she has access to all necessary information before making a final decision.

“House Bill 347 upholds a woman’s constitutional right to seek an abortion while ensuring that she is fully informed of the risks and potential outcomes, while empowering her to make the best medical decision that is right for her,” said Odioso.

“This bill stands for the simple premises that if we are going to treat abortions like other forms of healthcare, women should get the same information about the risk and potential outcomes as other healthcare procedures,” said Williams. “Women deserve access to all relevant information about the physical and psychological risks associated with the procedure so they can make an informed decision.”

Specifically, the bill requires three conditions be met before an elective abortion can take place:

• A meeting is facilitated between the physician and pregnant woman, which can take place in person, by telephone, or by virtual meeting. 
• A disclosure is provided by the physician with specified information to the pregnant woman. 
• The pregnant woman provides written informed consent.
   

To ensure women are fully informed of the physical and mental health risks associated with abortion, the bill requires that a patient’s informed consent be secured at least 24 hours before an elective abortion is performed or induced, aligning the procedure with the standard of care typically established for other medical procedures.

The bill also provides a legal recourse for women to pursue if they are denied any information necessary to make a fully informed choice by creating a cause of action against a physician who fails to meet this medically appropriate standard of care. Additionally, the legislation requires the full disclosure of risks, including those recognized by the broader medical establishment, and grants the State Medical Board the authority to expand these disclosures as necessary as science and procedures evolve. 

The “SHE WINS” Act stands for “Share the Health and Empower with Informed Notices” Act.

The legislation now awaits further consideration from the Ohio Senate.