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Bill Summary · HB 928

Overview

House Bill 928 (HB 928), introduced in the 136th Ohio General Assembly by Representative Williams (co-sponsored by Josh Williams), amends sections of the Revised Code to strengthen prohibitions related to abortion trafficking and the sale or transfer of products derived from abortion. The bill creates penalties for abortion trafficking and prohibits compensation for products of conception resulting from an abortion, while clarifying permissible charges for certain handling activities.

Purpose and intent

  • Expand prohibitions on the trafficking of products of conception resulting from abortion.
  • Prohibit receiving or providing consideration for the product of human conception resulting from an abortion.
  • Narrow or remove allowances for reimbursement related to handling activities for products of conception from abortion.
  • Establish stronger penalties for violations, including a presumption in favor of prison terms.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Abortion trafficking and product prohibition (Sec. 2108.18; Sec. 2108.99)

    • Prohibits receiving or providing any consideration for the product of human conception resulting from an abortion.
    • Prohibits experimentation on, or sale of, the product of a human conception that has been aborted.
    • Prohibits offering, advertising, or facilitating transactions involving the product of conception from an abortion.
    • Violations carry criminal penalties; 2108.99 ties violations to felony classifications.

  2. Permissible charges for handling activities (Sec. 2108.18)

    • Allows charging a reasonable amount for removal, processing, preservation, quality control, storage, transportation, implantation, or disposal of a part, with the limitation that no reimbursement may be received for expenses related to the removal, processing, preservation, quality control, storage, or transportation of a product of conception resulting from an abortion.
    • Revisions repeal prior allowances that permitted reimbursement for such activities if not aligned with the new restrictions.

  3. Definition of consideration (Sec. 2919.14)

    • Expands or clarifies that “consideration” includes any payment, compensation, remuneration, or thing of value, including reimbursement for costs, fees, or expenses.

  4. Penalties (Sec. 2919.14; Sec. 2108.99)

    • Violators of abortion-trafficking provisions are guilty of abortion trafficking, classified as a misdemeanor or felony, with a presumption in favor of imprisonment for violations.
    • The bill specifies that the presumption for a prison term applies notwithstanding other sections (e.g., 2929.13), signaling a strong penalty posture.

  5. Repeal of existing provisions

    • Repeals the existing sections 2108.18, 2108.99, and 2919.14 and replaces them with the new framework.

Who/what is affected

  • Individuals and entities involved in abortion services, including providers, researchers, brokers, and others who might handle, process, store, transport, or otherwise manage products of conception resulting from abortion.
  • Any party contemplating payment or reimbursement related to products of conception from abortion, including storage, processing, handling, and transport.
  • Courts and prosecutors, due to new classifications and presumption in favor of prison terms.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill proposes immediate changes by amending and repealing specific sections of the Revised Code.
  • It establishes clearer definitions (e.g., consideration) and sets forth criminal penalties for violations.
  • As introduced, the bill would take effect according to standard Ohio legislative process after enactment, with penalties and duties applying to violations occurring after the effective date.

Observations

  • The core shift is a tightening of prohibitions on the sale, transfer, and marketing of products of conception from abortion, paired with penalties and limited or no space for reimbursement for handling costs related to such products.
  • The bill maintains a distinction between permissible reasonable charges for certain handling activities and the prohibition on receiving compensation for the product itself.
  • It codifies abortion-trafficking as a prosecutable offense with enhanced penalties and a presumption for imprisonment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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