Ohio’s Defunct Abortion Law Was ‘Package Deal,’ State Court Told

Ohio asked three appeals court judges at oral argument Tuesday to reverse a trial court ruling that blocked provisions meant to support a now-defunct six-week abortion ban.

But those provisions were a “package deal” with the law that was repealed by the state’s voters, Cassie Mitchell, arguing for the plaintiffs, said in response to a question from Judge Ginger S. Bock.

Stephen Carney of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, conceded that the so-called “heartbeat” ban itself is invalid following the 2023 amendment to the Ohio Constitution that protects access to the procedure.

But the state said that at least ...