Ohio § 2919.17

§ 2919.17.

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

on a pregnant woman when the unborn child is viable. (B)(1) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (A) of this section that

the abortion was performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced by a

physician and that the physician determined, in the physician's good faith medical

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

following applied: (a) The unborn child was not viable. (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 2919.18 of the Revised Code , the affirmative defense set forth in division (B)(1)(a) of this section does not

apply unless the physician who performs or induces or attempts to perform or induce

the abortion performs the viability testing required by division (A) of section 2919.18 of the Revised Code and certifies in writing, based on the results of the tests performed, that in the

physician's good faith medical judgment the unborn child is not viable. (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 performs or induces or attempts

to perform or induce the abortion complies with all of the following conditions: (1) The physician who performs or induces or attempts to perform or induce the abortion

certifies in writing that, in the physician's good faith 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) Another physician who is not professionally related to the physician who intends

to perform or induce the abortion certifies in writing that, in that physician's good

faith medical judgment, based on the facts known to that 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 performs or induces or 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 performs or induces or 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 good faith 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 performs or induces or 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) For purposes of this section, there is a rebuttable presumption that an unborn child

of at least twenty-four weeks gestational age is viable. (F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of terminating or attempting to terminate

a human pregnancy after viability, a felony of the fourth degree. (G) The state medical board shall revoke a physician's license to practice medicine in

this state if the physician violates this section. (H) Any physician who performs or induces an abortion or 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 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. (I) A pregnant woman on whom an abortion is performed or induced or 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.