The legislation, known as ‘The Contraception Begins at Erection Act,’ is being pushed by lawmakers in Ohio and Mississippi. If passed, it would make it illegal for a man to ejaculate unless conception is the intended outcome.
Both states outline exceptions for sperm donation and cases where contraception is used. In Mississippi, however, this would criminalize male masturbation, while in Ohio, it would not fall under the same ruling.
While the bill does not impose jail time, it does propose significant financial penalties.
For a first offense, a man would be fined $1,000. A second violation would increase the fine to $5,000, and a third would result in an even steeper $10,000 penalty. These fines would apply equally in both states.
The Mississippi version was introduced by lawmaker Bradford Blackmon, with a proposed enforcement date of July 1, 2025, pending approval by Governor Tate Reeves. However, the chances of it becoming law are slim to none.
Blackmon explained that most legislation surrounding reproductive rights primarily targets women.
“This bill highlights that fact and brings the man’s role into the conversation. People can get up in arms and call it absurd but I can’t say that bothers me.”
In Ohio, a similar bill was introduced by State Representatives Anita Somani and Tristan Rader. Somani, who has been an OBGYN for 30 years, said the bill is a response to laws regulating women’s reproductive rights.
She made it clear that the bill is not intended to be enacted but rather to serve as a conversation starter.
She added: “It’s more to make the statement and start the conversation. You know, I’m not here as an OBGYN, I’m not here to regulate reproductive rights, I’m here to show the absurdity of regulating anybody’s rights.”
The repeal has resulted in abortion bans in ten states, where terminations are now illegal, even in cases of rape.
Some critics have taken the bill literally, including Ohio State Republican Representative Austin Beigel, who said: “It’s beyond ridiculous what’s going on here. It’s a mockery of the most basic biological concepts.”
