Ohio § 2919.201

§ 2919.201.

(A) No person shall purposely perform or induce or purposely attempt to perform or induce

an abortion on a pregnant woman when the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn

child is twenty weeks or greater. (B)(1) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (A) of this section that

the abortion was purposely performed or induced or purposely attempted to be performed

or induced by a physician and that the physician determined, in the physician's reasonable

medical judgment, based on the facts known to the physician at that time, that either

of the following applied: (a) The probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child was less than twenty weeks. (b) The abortion was necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or a serious

risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of

the pregnant woman. (2) No abortion shall be considered necessary under division (B)(1)(b) of this section

on the basis of a claim or diagnosis that the pregnant woman will engage in conduct

that would result in the pregnant woman's death or a substantial and irreversible

impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman or based on any reason

related to the woman's mental health. (C) Except when a medical emergency exists that prevents compliance with section 2919.203 of the Revised Code , the affirmative defense set forth in division (B)(1)(a) of this section does not

apply unless the physician who purposely performs or induces or purposely attempts

to perform or induce the abortion makes a determination of the probable post-fertilization

age of the unborn child as required by division (A) of section 2919.203 of the Revised Code or relied upon such a determination made by another physician and certifies in writing,

based on the results of the tests performed, that in the physician's reasonable medical

judgment the unborn child's probable post-fertilization age is less than twenty weeks. (D) Except when a medical emergency exists that prevents compliance with one or more

of the following conditions, the affirmative defense set forth in division (B)(1)(b)

of this section does not apply unless the physician who purposely performs or induces

or purposely attempts to perform or induce the abortion complies with all of the following

conditions: (1) The physician who purposely performs or induces or purposely attempts to perform

or induce the abortion certifies in writing that, in the physician's reasonable medical

judgment, based on the facts known to the physician at that time, the abortion is

necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or a serious risk of the substantial

and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman. (2) A different physician not professionally related to the physician described in division

(D)(1) of this section certifies in writing that, in that different physician's reasonable

medical judgment, based on the facts known to that different physician at that time,

the abortion is necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or a serious

risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of

the pregnant woman. (3) The physician purposely performs or induces or purposely attempts to perform or induce

the abortion in a hospital or other health care facility that has appropriate neonatal

services for premature infants. (4) The physician who purposely performs or induces or purposely attempts to perform

or induce the abortion terminates or attempts to terminate the pregnancy in the manner

that provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless that physician

determines, in the physician's reasonable medical judgment, based on the facts known

to the physician at that time, that the termination of the pregnancy in that manner

poses a greater risk of the death of the pregnant woman or a greater risk of the substantial

and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman than

would other available methods of abortion. (5) The physician certifies in writing the available method or techniques considered

and the reasons for choosing the method or technique employed. (6) The physician who purposely performs or induces or purposely attempts to perform

or induce the abortion has arranged for the attendance in the same room in which the

abortion is to be performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced at

least one other physician who is to take control of, provide immediate medical care

for, and take all reasonable steps necessary to preserve the life and health of the

unborn child immediately upon the child's complete expulsion or extraction from the

pregnant woman. (E) Whoever purposely performs or induces or purposely attempts to perform or induce

an abortion in violation of, or without complying with, the requirements of this section

is guilty of terminating or attempting to terminate a human pregnancy of a pain-capable

unborn child, a felony of the fourth degree. (F) The state medical board shall revoke a physician's license to practice medicine in

this state if the physician violates or fails to comply with this section. (G) Any physician who purposely performs or induces an abortion or purposely attempts

to perform or induce an abortion with actual knowledge that neither of the affirmative

defenses set forth in division (B)(1) of this section applies, or with a heedless

indifference as to whether either an affirmative defense applies, is liable in a civil

action for compensatory and exemplary damages and reasonable attorney's fees to any

person, or the representative of the estate of any person, who sustains injury, death,

or loss to person or property as the result of the performance or inducement or the

attempted performance or inducement of the abortion.  In any action under this division, the court also may award any injunctive or other

equitable relief that the court considers appropriate. (H) A pregnant woman on whom an abortion is purposely performed or induced or purposely

attempted to be performed or induced in violation of division (A) of this section

is not guilty of violating division (A) of this section or of attempting to commit,

conspiring to commit, or complicity in committing a violation of division (A) of this

section.