Ohio Senate Bill SB220

Ohio 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24

Caption

Designate Day of Tears

Impact

By designating a Day of Tears, this bill may strengthen the pro-life movement within Ohio, serving as a point of reflection for those who oppose abortion. Residents are encouraged to observe this day by lowering flags to half-staff, which could lead to increased public awareness and discourse surrounding abortion. The bill effectively positions Ohio's stance on abortion within a larger national context, particularly on anniversaries of significant court rulings that have shaped reproductive rights legislation.

Summary

Senate Bill 220 aims to designate January 22 as the "Day of Tears," a day marked for mourning the lives of unborn children lost due to abortion. The bill proposes to enact section 5.54 of the Revised Code of Ohio, which articulates this specific date as a time to remember the ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the same day in 1973 that identified abortion as a constitutional right. This bill is positioned as a commemorative act rather than one that directly changes existing abortion laws or procedures in the state.

Contention

Although the main intention behind SB220 is commemorative, it might evoke diverse reactions within the public and legislative community. Supporters of the bill may view it as an important acknowledgment of lost lives, while opponents might criticize it as a symbolic act that politicizes a deeply personal subject. The bill reflects ongoing tensions surrounding reproductive rights in the United States, and its passage could be seen as a stance against the Supreme Court's ruling and a reinforcement of pro-life values in legislative practice.