State Legislation to Require Humane Burial of Aborted Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       CONTACT: Katherine Franklin
DATE: Wednesday, April 13, 2016     PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Today, the Ohio House Committee on Health and Aging approved Ohio Right to Life's Unborn Child Dignity Act (H.B. 417/419), legislation which requires that the remains of aborted children are given humane burial or cremation. The bill increases informed consent by requiring full disclosure to women pursuing abortions of their options for the aborted baby's treatment. The legislation was introduced in December when Attorney General Mike DeWine revealed that Planned Parenthood is sending aborted children's remains to landfills. 

“Ohio Right to Life is grateful for our legislative leadership's swift yet thoughtful response to the horrific revelation about Planned Parenthood's practices,” said Kayla Atchison, director of external affairs for Ohio Right to Life. "Abortion claims a number of victims--the child, the mother and the father. If we can somehow diminish the horror and preserve some semblance of dignity for the unborn child, Ohio can take another step towards restoring our humanity and building a culture of life."

Attorney General DeWine opened his investigation of Planned Parenthood's surgical facilities following the release of an undercover video showing Planned Parenthood Federation of America's Senior Director of Medical Services admitting that the organization harvests and sells parts of aborted babies. This is the second series of legislative action that responds to the scandal, following behind the de-funding of Planned Parenthood which was signed by Governor John Kasich in February.

“Ohio Right to Life thanks bill sponsors Representatives Tim Ginter, Kyle Koehler, Robert McColley, and Barbara Sears for spearheading our efforts to protect the dignity of the unborn in the Ohio House,” said Atchison. “In addition, we thank Chairwoman Anne Gonzales for prioritizing this legislation and providing due consideration to all victims of abortion. No human person belongs in a landfill, and we are grateful for a committee that believes the same.”