Sandra O'Brien is a Republican member of the Ohio Senate representing the 32nd district. She was elected in 2020, defeating Democratic incumbent Sean O'Brien with just under 51% of the vote.
In 2019, O'Brien co-sponsored Ohio Senate Bill 23, widely known as the "Heartbeat Bill." The law bans most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which typically occurs around six weeks into pregnancyâÂÂbefore many people know they are pregnant. The bill makes no exceptions for rape or incest. Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law on April 11, 2019.
O'BrienâÂÂs co-sponsorship of SB 23 reflected her alignment with efforts to impose stricter abortion regulations in Ohio. The legislation sparked significant legal and public controversy.
In September 2022, a judge in Hamilton County temporarily blocked the lawâÂÂs enforcement, restoring abortion access in the state up to 22 weeks of pregnancy while litigation continued.