Judge blocks Ohio from taking action against Planned Parenthood over disposal of fetal tissue
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked Ohio officials from taking legal action against Planned Parenthood to enforce fetal tissue disposal rules, and Republican state lawmakers proposed new regulations for such disposal.
The actions at the Ohio Statehouse and Columbus federal court comes after state Attorney General Mike DeWine’s investigation into Planned Parenthood facilities.
DeWine’s office found no evidence that Planned Parenthood made money from aborted fetuses, but his report released Friday instead criticized its facilities for disposing of fetal remains in landfills. He accused the organization of violating a state rule requiring that fetal tissue be disposed of in a “humane manner.”
Planned Parenthood calls the report “inflammatory.” The group says its three facilities that provide abortions follow Ohio law and use the same practices as hospitals and other providers, which generally contract with companies to dispose of medical waste.
DeWine had planned to file an injunction in state court to prevent Planned Parenthood from disposing of fetal remains as its affiliates have done. But a federal lawsuit filed Sunday by Planned Parenthood complicated his plan.