Opinion: Proposed Mason abortion ban is utterly unenforceable, divisive

Cathleen Elliott

Opinion contributor

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio has placed a billboard in South Lebanon, challenging Lebanon's recent abortion ban.

On May 25, legislation was enacted in Lebanon, Ohio, declaring it a sanctuary city for the unborn. There are no abortion clinics in Lebanon, but under their new ordinance, it is now illegal to not only perform an abortion, but also to "aid and abet" someone who may seek abortion services by providing money, transportation, advice or instructions within the city limits of Lebanon. Violation of the law would be punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. There are no exemptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

Abortion-rights supporters gather outside Lebanon town hall as City Council considers voting on a proposed ordinance that would declare the city of 20,000 in Warren County, north of Cincinnati, a "sanctuary city for the unborn," Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

A similar ordinance appears to be on the fast track in Mason. While that may sound like a righteous or life-affirming move on paper, it comes with harmful unintended and unanticipated consequences:

Mason businesses, who are already coming off a hard year of closures and restrictions, will be boycotted; it is already happening in Lebanon.
Pharmacies could be in legal jeopardy for selling certain products or filling doctors’ prescriptions.
Doctors would be at risk for the act of dispensing medical advice.
People under the age of 18 must obtain legal consent from a parent or guardian in the state of Ohio in order to terminate a pregnancy. How does a minor obtain that consent without potentially implicating their parent?
Companies – perhaps nationally administered but with locations in Mason – whose insurance policies cover abortions as part of their health benefits could be in jeopardy for "aiding" abortions.
New businesses and new residents will be deterred from moving to Mason.
Taxpayers will have to pay for inevitable lawsuits challenging this overreaching ordinance.
It creates risk regarding the city’s insurance and liability.
Neighbors will take sides against each other; this will turn into an ugly battle. We will be a city further divided at a time when what we need is unity.

Citizens speak before Lebanon city council as the body considers voting on a proposed ordinance which would declare the city of 20,000 in Warren County, north of Cincinnati, a "sanctuary city for the unborn," Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Lebanon, Ohio.

Mason City Council already has a well-publicized and unfortunate reputation for not playing well together. A new high stakes battle over sanctuary city status and the potential for more in-fighting or protests will only bring more bad press to Mason.

This ordinance is utterly unenforceable. How does this improve Mason or help its residents? What is the purpose of passing a law that is unable to be enforced other than to throw some culture war red meat out just in time for the sponsoring council member’s reelection campaign?

If the Mason City Council wants to take truly pro-life action, they could establish programs to help struggling single parents. They could support organizations who provide contraceptive access and education. Instead of focusing time and resources fighting each other, council and citizens could be working together to make abortion RARE. People on both sides of this highly emotional issue can probably agree that abortion is a sad thing. We believe that unsafe, illegal abortion is even sadder.

Cathleen Elliot lives in Mason. This op-ed is cosigned by the following Mason residents and taxpayers: Diane Altherr; Jennifer Amazon; Keri Arinsmier; Gina Armstrong; Lester Armstrong; Kara Ayers; Joy Bennett, candidate for Mason City Council; Amy Bensman; Jennifer Benson; Jane Abbott Doster; Barbara Fillion; Jeff Chambers; Kim Chambers, candidate for Kings Local School Board; Krishna Cheeti; Padma Cheeti; Prathima Cheeti; Rukmini Cheeti; Dale Dickerhoof; Nikki Foster, former candidate, Ohio state representative and U.S. Congress member; Michelle Faridi; Robert T. Foster; Sally Gaisor; Rachel Gasparraj; Jeremy Geiser; Manisha Godbole; Kristin Goecke; Margaret Griffin; Greg Hauer; Katie Hauer; Trisha L. Hilton-Mills, RN, BSN; Bridgett Hutson; Jeni Keeler; Nalini Jagannath; Elizabeth Kennedy; Dr. Keith Kociba; Becca Kociba; Mrs. Barbara Kociba; Karen Kopack; Allan Kopack; Nichole Leporati; Katie McGeorge; Molly McKenna; Amy Mercer; Jim Mills; Patricia Miller; Sonia Milrod; Lesley Morgan Krimpenfort; Roy Nickerson; Alaina J. Peebles; McKayla Peebles; Amy Rasmussen; Kristin Robinson; Lamont Robinson; Manoj Singh; Sachika Singh; Shivank Singh; Tanuja Singh; Chris Skindzier; Kim Skindzier; Nancy Sones; Cora Steinberg; Julianne Szawluk; Susan E. Tate; Courtney Tong; Steve Tong; Judith Trees Rob Turley; Nicki Turley; Danielle Tymitz; Jessica Vick; Robert Viney; Diana Wagner; Caryn Weckstein; Alexander Wells; Rosemary Wells; Dr. Brady Williamson; Mrs. Heather Williamson;Julie Womack; Emily Huisman; Kara Johnson; Vera Long; Deborah Norman; and Jennifer Tschirhart Simpson.

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