H.B. 480 Summary

• Expands the definition of "person" in Ohio law to include "a born or unborn human being at any stage of development" starting from fertilization.

• Prohibits anyone from purposely performing or attempting to perform an abortion, with enforcement exclusively through private civil actions rather than criminal prosecution.

• Authorizes any person to sue those who perform abortions, induce abortions, or knowingly aid or abet abortions, including those who pay for or reimburse abortion costs, with statutory damages of at least $10,000 per abortion.

• Bars government employees and officers, and individuals who impregnated the patient through rape or sexual assault, from bringing civil actions.

• Specifies the action must be filed within four years, allows it to be brought in multiple specified counties, and provides affirmative defenses for physicians acting to prevent maternal death and those with reasonable belief the abortion complied with medical exceptions.