In vitro fertilization protections focus of new Ohio bill

Months after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling called fertilization methods into question, a new bill in the Ohio House would protect access to fertility treatments in the state.

House Bill 502 would give civil and criminal immunity to patients, along with providers, facilities and health care personnel who give assistive reproductive care.

It also includes data protections for patients that would stop third-party organizations, including law enforcement, from gaining access to private medical information.

“As legislators, our job is not to interfere in the lives of our constituents whether it is their right to an abortion or to assisted reproductive technology,” said Rep. Dr. Anita Somani, D-Dublin. "Our role should be to support legislation that continues to improve society whether it be for reproductive health, environmental health, public education or public health."

In mid-February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos are people, causing several fertility clinics in the state to pause in vitro fertilization treatments.

As previously reported by The Center Square, the ruling also led former President Donald Trump to call on the state lawmakers to create legislation that would preserve vitro fertilization.

Ohio Democratic lawmakers say their recent legislation does that for Ohioans.

“First and foremost,” said Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, "this bill is about respecting and upholding the will of the voters in Ohio who resoundingly supported the constitutional right to make and carry out their own reproductive decisions, including fertility treatment. IVF is not a partisan issue, as Ohioans from across the political spectrum supported this amendment."

In early March, the Alabama House and Senate passed a bill to restore in vitro fertilization in the state. Gov. Kay Ivey signed it into law. Alabama’s bill gives civil and criminal immunity to patients and clinics for in vitro fertilization services.

Ohio’s bill awaits a committee assignment in the House.