A bold new bill in Ohio could see men fined up to $10,000 for ejaculating without the goal of conceiving a child. The legislation, introduced by Democratic State Representative Anita Somani, is called the Conception Begins at Erection Act and aims to spark discussion about reproductive rights by applying strict standards to men—similar to those faced by women in states with restrictive abortion laws.
The bill proposes that any ejaculation not intended to fertilize an egg would be considered a criminal act. It comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, which allowed individual states to determine their own abortion laws.
“You don’t get pregnant on your own,” said Somani. “If you’re going to penalize someone for an unwanted pregnancy, why not penalize the person who is also responsible for the pregnancy?”
Under the proposed law, men who “discharge semen without the intent to fertilize” could face fines of up to $10,000. However, there are exceptions. The bill would not apply in cases involving:
- The use of protection or contraceptives during sex
- Masturbation
- Sperm donation
- Sexual activity among LGBTQ+ individuals that does not involve producing ova
Essentially, the law targets unprotected sex that is not aimed at conception. While many see the proposal as symbolic, it is a direct response to efforts by anti-abortion lawmakers who continue to push for bans and restrictions in Ohio.
The bill also reflects recent voter sentiment. In 2023, Ohio residents approved a ballot measure protecting abortion rights by a 57% to 43% margin. The new amendment guarantees the right to make personal decisions about abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, and miscarriage care.
Despite this, conservative lawmakers are still pushing forward. GOP activist Austin Beigel has voiced support for a separate effort known as the Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act. The measure aims to ban abortion altogether, arguing that life begins at conception and should be legally protected from that point.
As the debate intensifies, Representative Somani’s bill highlights ongoing tensions between state policy and reproductive rights—this time, by turning the lens toward male accountability in the reproductive process.
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