State to pay legal fees in Planned Parenthood lawsuit

CINCINNATI (AP) — Ohio will pay more than $45,000 in legal bills for Planned Parenthood as part of a dispute involving the disposal of aborted fetuses.

The Dayton Daily News reports that the move comes as part of a settlement reached after Planned Parenthood sued the state last year. At issue was a state rule requiring that fetuses be disposed of in a “humane manner.” It does not further define “humane.”

A federal judge had temporarily blocked Ohio health officials from taking legal action against Planned Parenthood, which had accused the state of changing the interpretation of the disposal regulation and then unfairly targeting the organization.

The state ultimately said it wouldn’t enforce the regulation as lawmakers seek to clarify disposal procedures. Several bills are pending in the Ohio Legislature.