Skip to main content
Tags: john kasich | down syndrome | abortion | ban

Kasich Signs Down Syndrome Abortion Ban

Kasich Signs Down Syndrome Abortion Ban
Ohio Gov. John Kasich (Evan Vucci/AP)

By    |   Friday, 22 December 2017 01:40 PM EST

Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Friday signed a law banning abortions if prenatal tests show the fetus has or could have Down syndrome, Cleveland.com reports.

Once the law takes effect in March, doctors who perform an abortion knowing of a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis could face a fourth-degree felony charge with a potential sentence of 18 months in prison. Women who seek an abortion would not face punishment.

Anti-abortion group Ohio Right to Life, which lobbied for the bill, praised "pro-life champion" Kasich for his signature.

"Ohio is and will continue to be a state that sees the lives of people with Down syndrome as lives worth living, thanks to this legislation," the organization’s president, Mike Gonidakis, said in a statement.

"When a woman receives a diagnosis of Down syndrome during her pregnancy, the last thing she needs is Gov. Kasich barging in to tell her what's best for her family," NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland said in a statement, according to Cincinnati.com. "This law does nothing to support families taking care of loved ones with Down syndrome. Instead, it exploits them as part of a larger anti-choice strategy to systematically make all abortion care illegal."

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

Newsfront
Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Friday signed a law banning abortions if prenatal tests show the fetus has or could have Down syndrome, Cleveland.com reports.
john kasich, down syndrome, abortion, ban
200
2017-40-22
Friday, 22 December 2017 01:40 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved