A proposed bill could impose significant fines on men if they are found “ejaculating without intent of conceiving a baby.”
The legislation, known as ‘The Contraception Begins At Erection Act,’ has been introduced in Ohio and Mississippi, aiming to make it unlawful for men to ejaculate without the intention of conception.
Exceptions are outlined for sperm donation and contraceptive use. In Mississippi, male masturbation would fall under this law, while Ohio’s proposal would not criminalize such behavior.
The Mississippi bill summary states: “This bill, known as the ‘Contraception Begins at Erection Act,’ aims to make it unlawful for a person to discharge genetic material (sperm) without the intent to fertilize an embryo, effectively criminalizing certain male reproductive behaviors.”
Although the proposed law does not seek to imprison men, it does propose steep fines.
For a first offense, the fine would be $1,000, escalating to $5,000 for a second offense. A third violation would incur a $10,000 penalty. These fines would be consistent in both states.
The legislation is intended more as a satirical statement than a serious legal measure.
The Mississippi bill, proposed by lawmaker Bradford Blackmon, would take effect on July 1, 2025, if approved by Gov. Tate Reeves, though this is highly improbable.
Blackmon emphasized that most reproductive rights legislation targets women.
“All across the country, especially here in Mississippi, the vast majority of bills relating to contraception and/or abortion focus on the woman’s role when men are fifty percent of the equation,” he noted, according to NBC News.
“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, the bill has been put forward by State Representatives Anita Somani, a 30-year OBGYN, and Tristan Rader. The proposal is a response to legislative actions that regulate women’s bodies.
Representative Somani stated, “You don’t get pregnant on your own. If you’re going to penalize someone for an unwanted pregnancy, why not penalize the person who is also responsible for the pregnancy?”
She clarified that her goal is to spark discussion rather than pass the bill.
“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,” she added.
Women’s reproductive rights in the U.S. have undergone significant changes recently, notably the 2022 overturning of Roe V. Wade, which dated back to 1973.
This precedent had protected women’s right to abortion, but now, ten states have made it illegal for women to terminate a pregnancy, even in cases of rape.
Some opponents of the bill have interpreted it literally. Ohio State Republican Representative Austin Beigel commented: “It’s beyond ridiculous what’s going on here. It’s a mockery of the most basic biological concepts.”