In a recent development, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood have filed a lawsuit in Ohio challenging the state's informed consent and heartbeat laws. The legal action comes as a response to Ohio's abortion amendment passed in 2023, which has been criticized for restricting women's access to information about abortion before making a decision.

Sue Liebel, the midwestern regional director for SBA Pro-Life America, expressed her concerns about the lawsuit, stating, "When Ohioans were in church on Good Friday, D.C. lawyers, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU invaded the state with a lawsuit to remove women’s right to receive information on the risks of second- and third-trimester abortions." Liebel emphasized the importance of providing women with adequate time and information to make informed choices regarding their reproductive health.

Liebel also highlighted the implications of the lawsuit for other states, urging residents of states where abortion may be on the ballot to pay attention to the situation in Ohio. She warned, "Floridians and those who live in states where abortion could be on the ballot should take note of the unfortunate realities playing out in Ohio where out-of-state interests are using Issue 1 to keep women in the dark and further Big Abortion’s profit motives."

The informed consent law being challenged by the ACLU in Ohio was designed to ensure that women receive comprehensive information about abortion procedures and risks before proceeding. The law mandates that women meet with a physician at least 24 hours prior to the abortion to discuss important details such as medical risks, gestational age, and available resources. Additionally, the law requires the Department of Health to provide information in multiple languages about alternatives to abortion programs.

The lawsuit in Ohio has raised concerns among pro-life advocates, who fear that similar challenges to informed consent laws could emerge in other states. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a prominent pro-life organization, is actively working to protect women's rights and advocate for laws that prioritize women's health and safety.

As states like Florida prepare for upcoming ballot measures related to abortion, the legal battle in Ohio serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding reproductive rights and access to information for women across the country.