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The '''Heartbeat Bill''' is [[pro-life]] legislation originating in [[Ohio]], which would prohibit [[abortion]] once the heartbeat of the unborn child is detectable.  A heartbeat develops in an unborn child typically in the fifth or sixth week of a pregnancy.  A federal version of the bill, H.R. 490, was introduced in Congress in 2017 by Rep. [[Steve King]], but blocked from a floor vote in the [[House of Representatives]].  A total of 173 congressmen have signed on as co-sponsors of the Heartbeat Bill, H.R. 490, as of July 27, 2018.<ref>https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/490/cosponsors</ref>

The '''Heartbeat Bill''' is [[pro-life]] legislation originating in [[Ohio]], which would prohibit [[abortion]] once the heartbeat of the unborn child is detectable.  A heartbeat develops in an unborn child typically in the fifth or sixth week of a pregnancy.  A federal version of the bill, H.R. 490, was introduced in Congress in 2017 by Rep. [[Steve King]], but blocked from a floor vote in the [[House of Representatives]].  A total of 173 congressmen have signed on as co-sponsors of the Heartbeat Bill, H.R. 490, as of July 27, 2018.<ref>https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/490/cosponsors</ref>

On March 14, 2019, the Ohio Senate passed the Heartbeat Bill yesterday by a vote of 19-13.  From there it goes to the Ohio House, where it already enjoys a majority of representatives as co-sponsors this bill as sponsored by Reps. Ron Hood and Candice Keller there.  In May 2018, Iowa enacted the Heartbeat Bill at the state level.<ref>http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/How-lawmakers-voted-Heartbeat-abortion-bill-481503581.html</ref>  

On March 14, 2019, the Ohio Senate passed the Heartbeat Bill yesterday by a vote of 19-13.  From there it goes to the Ohio House, where it already enjoys a majority of representatives as co-sponsors this bill as sponsored by Reps. Ron Hood and Candice Keller there.  In May 2018, Iowa enacted the Heartbeat Bill at the state level.<ref>http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/How-lawmakers-voted-Heartbeat-abortion-bill-481503581.html</ref>  

As of mid-March 2019, both the House and Senate of Mississippi had passed the Heartbeat Bill, and Missouri, Georgia, and Tennessee have each passed the Heartbeat Bill in their House.  The Heartbeat Bill has also passed in the Kentucky Senate.  Heartbeat Bills are pending in Florida, Texas, South Carolina, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Minnesota.

Heartbeat Bills are pending in Florida, Texas, South Carolina, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Minnesota.

The Heartbeat Bill separates the wheat from the chaff among politicians and organizations that call themselves pro-life.  The [[National Right to Life Committee]] typically aligns itself with moderate Republicans (it endorsed [[Fred Thompson]] in 2008 for president) and has not endorsed this bill.  Ohio Right to Life has lost local chapters in Ohio due to its decision not to endorse passage of the Heartbeat Bill:<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/health/policy/fetal-heartbeat-bill-splits-anti-abortion-forces.html?pagewanted=all</ref>

The Heartbeat Bill separates the wheat from the chaff among politicians and organizations that call themselves pro-life.  The [[National Right to Life Committee]] typically aligns itself with moderate Republicans (it endorsed [[Fred Thompson]] in 2008 for president) and has not endorsed this bill.  Ohio Right to Life has lost local chapters in Ohio due to its decision not to endorse passage of the Heartbeat Bill:<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/health/policy/fetal-heartbeat-bill-splits-anti-abortion-forces.html?pagewanted=all</ref>