Lawmakers in Ohio and Mississippi have introduced a controversial proposal that would fine men for ejaculating without the intent to conceive a child.
The measure, called the “Contraception Begins at Erection Act,” suggests financial penalties rather than jail time. Proposed fines would begin at $1,000 for a first offense and increase to $10,000 for repeated violations. Certain exceptions are included, such as sperm donation and the use of contraception.
However, the bill is widely viewed as symbolic rather than serious legislation.
Supporters say the proposal is meant to highlight what they see as an imbalance in reproductive laws. In recent years, many laws have focused on regulating women’s bodies, especially after the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, which removed federal protections for abortion rights.
One lawmaker behind the proposal stated that pregnancy involves two people and argued that responsibility should not fall on women alone. Another sponsor described the bill as a way to spark discussion, not necessarily to become law.
Critics, meanwhile, have called the idea unrealistic and biologically flawed.
In reality, the proposal is unlikely to pass. Its main purpose appears to be drawing attention to the broader debate over reproductive rights and shared responsibility.