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Sponsors of Fetal Remains Bill Clarify It Will Only Pertain To Those From Abortion, Not Miscarriages

Ohio Lawmakers who are sponsoring new fetal remains legislation (Left to right: Republican Representatives Kyle Koehler, Robert McColley, Barbara Sears and Timothy Ginter
Karen Kasler
Ohio Lawmakers who are sponsoring new fetal remains legislation (Left to right: Republican Representatives Kyle Koehler, Robert McColley, Barbara Sears and Timothy Ginter

Two Republican co-sponsors of a new bill that would require burial or cremation of fetal remains are clarifying that legislation. 

Ohio Lawmakers who are sponsoring new fetal remains legislation (Left to right: Republican Representatives Kyle Koehler, Robert McColley, Barbara Sears and Timothy Ginter
Credit Karen Kasler
Ohio Lawmakers who are sponsoring new fetal remains legislation (Left to right: Republican Representatives Kyle Koehler, Robert McColley, Barbara Sears and Timothy Ginter

Earlier this week, two Republican lawmakers introduced a bill to require women to designate whether fetal remains should be buried or cremated. And at that time, one of the Representatives talking about new abortion legislation said it would apply to all fetal remains, including those from miscarriages. But Republican Representative Robert McColley says the bill will only apply to aborted fetal remains. 

“Neither Representative Koehler nor I made that statement. I don’t why that statement was made but neither Representative Koehler nor I did and our bill has never ever pertained to miscarriages. It has only addressed abortion.”

Kellie Copeland with NARAL ProChoice Ohio says this bill is a smear campaign targeted at women who choose abortion.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.