UK Eases Abortion Law; Ohio Seeks Total Ban

British lawmakers voted 379-137 to decriminalize late-term abortions in England and Wales, passing an amendment introduced by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi that would prevent women from being prosecuted for abortions after 24 weeks, including up to birth in some cases. The change is intended to remove women from the criminal justice system, responding to a rise in investigations and prosecutions, but does not modify medical regulations for providers or prevent punishment for those assisting in unlawful abortions. The amendment still needs to pass as part of a broader crime bill and gain approval from the House of Lords. In the United States, Ohio lawmakers are preparing to introduce a bill banning abortion from fertilization and criminalizing it as homicide, directly challenging a 2023 constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. The Ohio proposal also threatens in vitro fertilization and certain forms of contraception, raising concerns about legal conflicts and disregarding the will of Ohio voters. The future of both measures remains uncertain.