Ohio lawmakers plan to propose ‘The Conception begins at Erection Act’
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Two state lawmakers are planning to introduce a bill that they’ve nicknamed the Conception Begins at Erection Act. It would make it a felony for a man to have unprotected sex if they don’t plan on having a baby. A move many are calling ridiculous which lawmakers say is exactly the point.
The men we told about the bill all had the same reaction.
“Sounds like every male that’s ever lived in Ohio is gonna become a criminal I mean that’s just insane to propose I don’t know of anybody that’s not gonna be under arrest after this gets passed if they do pass it,” said Jake Heflin.
“It sounds insane,” said Kyle Drost. “It sounds a little wild. It’s sound a little I don’t know, abnormal.”
The legislation proposed by Representative Anita Somani and Tristan Rader was based on a bill in Mississippi. Representative Anita Somani has also been an OBGYN for more than 30 years and she has seen firsthand the damage restrictive laws have had on women.
“What other right do you know of where women have different rights based on where they live versus men? If I live in a state that protects reproductive rights, I have more rights than somebody who lives in a state where reproductive rights have been restricted,” Somani explained. “Men can go to any state in the United States and have the same rights no matter where they are.”
The bill would make it a felony for a man to have unprotected sex without wanting a baby. It does have some exceptions. It doesn’t apply if protection or contraception is used, if someone is masturbating, or donating sperm and it doesn’t apply to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“As an OBGYN the bills that have been proposed with reproductive rights have also proposed felonies and fines for healthcare providers for people who support those women or those folks who want to go get reproductive care so we shouldn’t be penalizing reproductive care for anybody and that again, is why we have the felony piece of this bill,” Somani said.
Representative Somani says it would be enforced by individuals reporting it. The felony comes with a hefty fine too. A man could be responsible for paying up to $10,000.
Somani said the bill doesn’t need to pass to accomplish its goal.
“It’s more to make the statement and start the conversation,” Somani said. “You know, I’m not here as an OBGYN, I’m not here to regulate reproductive rights, I’m here to show the absurdity of regulating anybody’s rights.”
In 2023 Ohioans passed issue 1; making abortion rights a part of the state’s constitution, but Somani is worried about new legislation being introduced to try and recognize fetuses as people.
“We really want to draw attention to our State House and the bills that we’re seeing that harm Ohio,” she said.
Most people realize it won’t pass given the republican dominated house, but they still appreciate the bill’s message.
“I think there’s a lot of policing of woman’s bodies right now and a lot of discussion around women and women being held accountable, and there’s really not a lot of that put on men so it would be nice to have accountability, and responsibility in that way,” said Gabrielle Gentile.
19 News reached out to the Ohio Republican Chairman about this bill, but we haven’t heard back.
Representative Somani says she is hoping to introduce the bill in the next few months.
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