A proposed amendment to the Ohio state constitution, framed as protecting reproductive decisions, has sparked a heated debate between parental rights advocates and pro-abortion rights groups. Protect Women Ohio (PWO), a coalition of parents and medical professionals, contends that the amendment's vague language could have far-reaching consequences beyond abortion access, potentially eliminating parental consent requirements for minors seeking gender-affirming care.

The amendment declares that "every individual has a right to make and carry out one's own reproductive decisions," encompassing choices related to contraception, fertility treatment, pregnancy continuation, miscarriage care, and abortion. PWO argues that this broad wording, without explicit mention of age or parental consent, could override existing state laws mandating parental involvement in minors' healthcare decisions.

PWO's spokesperson, Amy Natoce, expressed concern that the amendment could remove safeguards for women and the unborn while jeopardizing parental rights. The organization asserts that the amendment's inclusion of "reproductive decisions" could extend to procedures like hormone therapy, sterilization, and sex-change operations, all of which impact reproductive function.

PWO points to Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, both supporters of the amendment, as evidence of this broader interpretation. They highlight Planned Parenthood's stance linking abortion advocacy with support for gender-affirming care and birth control, as well as the ACLU's opposition to mandatory parental consent for minors seeking abortions.

Another group backing the amendment, URGE, has openly called for the abolition of parental involvement laws, further strengthening PWO's concerns. Natoce emphasized that the ACLU's track record in other states demonstrates their intent to challenge parental consent requirements as an undue burden on reproductive decisions.

Ohio voters will face a separate ballot initiative on August 8th that could raise the threshold for passing constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60%. PWO hopes this measure will ultimately prevent the reproductive rights amendment from being enacted. National conservative groups are closely monitoring the situation in Ohio, wary of similar efforts emerging in other states. They argue that organizations like the ACLU are strategically working to diminish parental rights across the country.