Ohio is one step closer to offering the controversial “Choose Life” license plates.
The Ohio House of Representatives passed H.B. 129, the “Choose Life” License Plate Bill, by a vote of 67-25 on Nov. 13.
“We are very pleased that H.B. 129 passed,” said Mark Lally, legislative council for the Ohio Right to Life. “This is a bill that will send a positive message and contribute money to help women.”
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ron Young, R- Leroy, would permit the sale of specialty license plates with the message “Choose Life” on them. The extra fees collected from the specialty plates would benefit non-profit organizations that counsel and provide material assistance to pregnant women interested in placing their children up for adoption.
“I am grateful to the members who supported this legislation,” Young said. “I believe these plates are important to Ohio. They will provide voluntary support for women in desperate need who have decided to give birth and put their children up for adoption.”
Pro-choice groups are skeptical of the bill.
“We feel that all women should have a full range of options and be able to make their own decision during this time in their lives,” said Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio. “The organizations that will be supported by the ‘Choose Life’ plates do not always provide these options to women.”
Before voting on the bill, the House killed two amendments offered by state Rep. Dale Miller, D-Cleveland.
“The two amendments that I offered were designed to make a bad bill better,” Miller said.
The first amendment would have eliminated a requirement that none of the funds from the sale of “Choose Life” plates could go to groups that provided, counseled for or referred adoption. This would have made abortion-practicing groups, such as Planned Parenthood, eligible for funding if they provided adoption counseling. The amendment was turned down with a 64-26 vote by the House.
The second amendment, offered by Miller, would have changed the message on the license plate from “Choose Life” to “Consider Adoption.” The House also voted to table the second amendment with a 62-28 vote.
“I am strongly opposed to the ‘Choose Life’ license plate proposal and voted against it,” Miller said. “The phrase ‘Choose Life’ is too politically charged to be appropriate for the license plate program. This could lead to all kinds of political advertising on license plates.”
Copeland said the state should not be involved in such a politically controversial issue.
“The state should not be helping to raise money for these kinds of organizations,” Copeland said. “These organizations scare women with issues about abortion, not council them with all their options.”
Eight states already offer the “Choose Life” plates to their residents: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Arkansas, Connecticut and Maryland.
Gov. Bob Taft’s office was contacted, but refused to comment on whether the governor would sign the bill if it is passed.
H.B. 129 is in the Senate waiting to be voted on.
