The Missouri House voted 110-37 on Thursday to advance a measure (HJR 98) that would create a ballot proposal to extend state constitutional rights to fetuses, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's "Political Fix" reports.
The measure now proceeds to the state Senate (Erickson/Suntrup, "Political Fix," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/5). State lawmakers must act on the bill by May 13, the final day of the current legislative session.
Referendum details
The measure, proposed by state Rep. Mike Moon (R), would extend a provision in the state constitution that protects an individual's "right to life" to a fetus "at every stage of biological development." The measure does not include any exceptions for rape, incest or life endangerment.
If lawmakers pass the measure, state residents would vote on it on the Nov. 8 ballot. The measure does not need the governor's approval since it would amend the state constitution.
Efforts to grant state constitutional rights to fetuses have failed elsewhere. In North Dakota, voters in 2014 rejected a similar proposal, and the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2012 ruled that a 'personhood' ballot measure constituted an improper ban on abortion care (Women's Health Policy Report, 5/4).
Comments
Opponents have said the bill, if enacted, would be struck down by courts as unconstitutional (Swedien, Springfield News-Leader, 5/5). According to opponents, the measure could not only restrict abortion access, but also affect access to certain forms of contraception and infertility treatment, as well as stem cell research (Hancock, AP/Kansas City Star, 5/5).
State Rep. Randy Dunn (D), speaking against the proposal, noted, "It is settled law that a woman has a right to an abortion."
Separately, state Rep. Deb Lavender (D) said, "The women of the state of Missouri don't need this body to tell them what life means" ("Political Fix," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/5).
Alison Dreith, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri, also spoke out against the bill, saying, "Missouri women and families deserve leaders who fight to solve real problems ... not political gamesmanship" (AP/Kansas City Star, 5/5).
According to the Springfield News-Leader, Moon and other bill supporters on Thursday drew criticism for comparing abortion to slavery. Calling the comparison "unbelievable," Cheryl Clay, president of Springfield NAACP, said that "there is no comparison whatsoever" between the two issues (Springfield News-Leader, 5/5).
