ACLU
Federal suit challenges abortion ban in Ohio city
The National Association of Social Workers and a pro-abortion rights organization in Ohio are going to federal court to attempt to get a city-level abortion ban thrown out. The ACLU of Ohio, along with D.C.-based firm Democracy Forward, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Western Division on […]
ACLU, Equitas Health sue Ohio over ‘medical conscience’ clause
Challenging a clause in Ohio’s last budget bill, the ACLU and a health care system that focuses on LGBTQ+ care sued the state and Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday over a provision that allows doctors to deny health care based on a matter of “conscience.” ACLU of Ohio and Equitas Health announced the lawsuit on […]
Ohio abortion law remains locked in court after judge blocks enforcement
An Ohio law that would, among other things, keep physicians connected to public medical schools from participating in abortion clinic practices has been blocked again by a Hamilton County judge. Senate Bill 157 has been in Judge Alison Hatheway’s court since February, when Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, Women’s Med […]
Judge temporarily blocks abortion bill affecting doctors
A Hamilton County judge has blocked the state from enforcing a new abortion-related law temporarily. Common Please Court Judge Alison Hatheway said Planned Parenthood groups and the Women’s Med Dayton clinic are “likely to succeed” in their lawsuit, therefore justifying a temporary block of Senate Bill 157,. The law would have barred physicians who worked […]
Ohio clinics sue to bar new abortion bill
A lawsuit has been filed against the newest state abortion restriction and its regulation of doctors’ ability to practice medicine. The ACLU, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region and Women’s Med Dayton are asking a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court to keep the state from enforcing a law to create “onerous and unwarranted” restrictions to health […]
The Supreme Court’s immense power may pose a danger to its legitimacy
By Richard L. Pacelle, Jr., University of Tennessee The first Monday in October is the traditional day that the U.S. Supreme Court convenes for its new term. Analysts and soothsayers carefully read the signals and forecast the direction the court will take. This year the scrutiny seems a little more intense, as the court takes […]
Supreme Court: Presence of drugs in body doesn’t equal possession
The state’s highest court found that a woman can’t be charged with possession of drugs in Seneca County just because she and her newborn had drugs in their systems. The Ohio Supreme Court took up the case after Kelly Foreman appealed her conviction on felony drug possession charges, which he was charged with after giving […]
Lawsuit accuses Ohio Redistricting Commission of violating constitution
The ACLU has filed an expected lawsuit disputing the partisan legislative redistricting maps passed earlier this month by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The Ohio and national chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union, along with law firm Covington & Burling, LLP, announced the lawsuit Thursday afternoon, accusing the Republican majority of “disrespecting the letter and […]
Redistricting fights in Ohio begin, this time with an open records request
The redistricting process still has a long way to go, but a battle to keep track of public records during the process has already begun in a court case between the ACLU and the Ohio House of Representatives. The ACLU asked the Ohio Supreme Court to compel employees within the Ohio House and the offices […]
Bill barring ‘divisive concepts’ targets race discussions in Ohio schools
A bill in the works in the Ohio legislature would prohibit “teaching or advocating divisive concepts” on race, color, nationality, or sex, according to the sponsor of the bill. In an email request for cosponsors, state Rep. Diane Grendell, R-Chesterland, mentioned critical race theory as one of the “divisive concepts” she’d like to see kept […]
Supreme Court to hear case of woman charged with possession after newborn tests positive
The Ohio Supreme Court is taking up a case in which a woman was convicted of drug possession, but the only drugs she possessed were in her blood system and the blood system of her newborn. Kelly Foreman was charged in Seneca County on felony drug possession charges “despite the fact that she was never […]
Women’s health clinics: Abortion disposal law creates ‘impossible situation’
A bill signed into law mere months ago regarding the disposal of surgical abortion tissue is being challenged in court, with women’s health clinics saying the bill creates “an impossible situation” for them. The complaint, filed in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, women’s health clinics across the state […]