FULL STORY: https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/ohio/ohios-prenatal-equal-protection-act-rally-abortion-rights-debate/530-28781ff7-c7b1-4a71-abe2-698e226df80e The debate over abortion rights reignited at the Ohio Statehouse Wednesday as a group supporting the Prenatal Equal Protection Act rallied for its support. A new bill expected to be introduced soon would make Ohio the 23rd state to consider such legislation. It is sparking passionate protests and drawing sharp criticism from both sides of the issue. "Supporters of the Prenatal Protection Act” believe Ohio's law that allows for abortion violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by denying a pre-born person the right to life," Austin Beigel, president of End Abortion Now, said. The event was briefly interrupted by pro-choice supporters, underscoring the deep divisions on the issue. Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2023 guaranteeing the right to abortion and other reproductive care, including contraception and fertility treatments, up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. If enacted, the Prenatal Equal Protection Act would create legal protections from the moment of fertilization. "Every child is a person, every abortion is a murder, every compromise is a sin," said Beigel. Opponents argue the bill directly contradicts the will of Ohio voters. They warn that the legislation would strip Ohioans of their bodily autonomy and criminalize essential medical care. "My message to pregnant people, birthing people, and people who are navigating family planning: you have the right to make the decision that is best for you, and no politician has the power over that — those are personal decisions between you and your doctor," Rhianon Carnes, founder Ohio Women’s Alliance, said. Legal experts also question the bill's reliance on the 14th Amendment, noting that courts have so far upheld the state's constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. Recent rulings have blocked previous attempts to restrict abortion access in Ohio, citing the new constitutional protections. The proposed bill says if a woman gets an abortion, then she would be charged for killing another human being. However, there are exceptions to the law, including to save the life of a woman or a spontaneous miscarriage. The bill’s introduction sets up a likely legal and political battle in a state that has become a flashpoint in the national abortion debate. With Ohio joining a growing list of states considering similar measures, the outcome here could have far-reaching implications for reproductive rights across the country.