Substitute Senate Bill 127 - Summary

• Prohibits any person from performing, inducing, or attempting to perform or induce an abortion when the unborn child has a probable post-fertilization age of 20 weeks or greater.

• Creates affirmative defenses allowing abortion after 20 weeks only if: (1) the physician determines the fetal age is less than 20 weeks, or (2) the abortion is necessary to prevent death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.

• Excludes conditions related to the pregnant woman's mental health from qualifying as reasons for post-20-week abortion, even in medical emergencies.

• Establishes reporting requirements for physicians performing abortions to submit information to the Ohio Department of Health within 15 days, with late fees of $500 for each 30-day period of non-compliance.

• Violators face criminal charges (felony of the fourth degree), civil liability for compensatory and exemplary damages, and medical license revocation or suspension by the state medical board.