(A) As used in this section:

Terms Used In Ohio Code 2307.53

  • Child: includes child by adoption. See Ohio Code 1.59
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59

(1) “D ismemberment abortion” has the same meaning as in section 2919.15 of the Revised Code.

(2) “Frivolous conduct” has the same meaning as in section 2323.51 of the Revised Code.

(3) “Partial birth procedure” has the same meaning as in section 2919.151 of the Revised Code.

(B) A woman upon whom a partial birth procedure is performed in violation of division (B) or (C) of section 2919.151 of the Revised Code, a woman upon whom a dismemberment abortion is performed in violation of division (B) of section 2919.15 of the Revised Code, the father of the child if the child was not conceived by rape, or the parent of the woman if the woman is not eighteen years of age or older at the time of the violation has and may commence a civil action for compensatory damages, punitive or exemplary damages if authorized by section 2315.21 of the Revised Code, and court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees against the person who committed the violation.

(C) If a judgment is rendered in favor of the defendant in a civil action commenced pursuant to division (B) of this section and the court finds, upon the filing of a motion under section 2323.51 of the Revised Code, that the commencement of the civil action constitutes frivolous conduct and that the defendant was adversely affected by the frivolous conduct, the court shall award in accordance with section 2323.51 of the Revised Code reasonable attorney’s fees to the defendant.