Ohio abortion providers sue state over Down syndrome abortion ban

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A handful of Ohio abortion providers sued the state Thursday over its new Down syndrome abortion ban.

The law, signed Dec. 22 by Gov. John Kasich, makes it a felony offense for a doctor to perform an abortion after a prenatal screening or test indicates the fetus has or is likely to have Down syndrome. It takes effect March 23.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, claims the abortion restriction violates a woman's constitutional right to privacy and autonomy under the Fourteenth Amendment.

"Well-established constitutional limits, which ensure that a woman -- not the state -- is free to make the final decision regarding any previability abortion, apply regardless of what exceptions the ban may provide, and regardless of what interests the state may assert to justify it," attorneys wrote in a motion seeking a temporary restraining order blocking the law.

Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/02/ohio_abortion_providers_sue_st.html