Lame duck legislative push for the Pastors Protection Act, H.B. 286 – This past week, we have been in discussions with the bill's sponsor, Rep. Vitale, and legal counsel Richard Mast from Liberty Counsel. The bill received a hearing and an amendment action on November 22nd. It is scheduled for a hearing this Tuesday, November 29th, and it is rumored that the bill may pass out of committee and on to the House floor.  Contact the Community and Family Advancement Committee and urge their support of H.B. 286, the Ohio Pastor Protection Act. 

ACTION: Contact Ohio Representatives to Oppose MOLST
End of Life Bill Fast-Tracked for Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 15th, 2016 (Columbus, OH) - Despite statewide grassroots opposition*, the Ohio Senate this spring approved S.B. 165, Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST), sponsored by Senator Peggy Lehner (R-Dayton).

S.B. 165 would establish "medical orders for life sustaining treatment" or "MOLST" form for Ohio--a protocol created and promoted by pro-euthanasia groups.

The bill is now in the House of Representatives' Health & Aging Committee--sponsor testimony this Wednesday, November 16th--and may be voted on before the General Assembly recesses before the end of the year.

Experience in other states has shown that MOLST (or POLST, physicians' orders for life sustaining treatment) bills have preceded assisted suicide bills. A co-sponsor of SB 165, MOLST, Sen. Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus), has recently announced plans to introduce a version of the so-called "Death with Dignity Act", legalizing assisted suicide, following on the heels of the passage of MOLST.

"Despite grave concerns with this problematic end of life directive, it may be pushed through for a vote in the House the next few weeks," said Paula Westwood, Executive Director, Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, on behalf of the coalition* opposing Ohio MOLST. "This flawed and serious bill should not gain traction."

ACTION
Contact the following to oppose bringing S.B. 165, MOLST for a vote:
• Your Ohio Representative (see ohiohouse.gov)
• Ohio Speaker of the House, Rep. Cliff Rosenberger
• Members of the House Health & Aging Committee
INFORMATION
See brochure Protecting Life Till Last Breath: Oppose Ohio MOLST for background information, basic talking points, and sample letter

See detailed list of specific concerns with S.B. 165, MOLST.

And/or review the bill with problems highlighte within the text.

*Coalition Opposing Ohio S.B. 165, MOLST as of November, 2016 (alphabetical order):
Advocates for the Family
Citizens for Community Values
Clermont County Right to Life
Cleveland Lawyers for Life
Cleveland Lutherans for Life
Cleveland Prays for Life
Cleveland Right to Life
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, U.S.A.
Fostoria/Bascom Area Pro-Life
Fostoria Teens for Life
Geauga County Right to Life
Geauga County Tea Party
Greater Toledo Right to Life
H.E.L.P. Pro-Life Apostolate
Hancock County Right to Life
Henry County Right to Life
Hospice Patients Alliance
Institute for Principled Policy
International Right to Life Federation
Lake County Right to Life
LifeLink
Lima & Allen County Right to Life
National Black ProLife Coalition
National Lawyers Association
Northeast Ohio Values Voters
Ohio Christian Alliance
Ohio Pro-Life Action
Personhood Alliance
Putnam County Right to Life
Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati
Right to Life of Northeast Ohio
Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Foundation
Tiffin Right to Life
Warren County Right to Life
What's Right/What's Left Ministries