Missouri Senate Approves Omnibus Pro-Life Bill Declaring State ‘Sanctuary of Life’
by Dr. Susan Berry
The Missouri Senate passed legislation Thursday that contains some of the nation’s strongest safeguards for unborn babies and their mothers, including a ban on abortions from eight weeks of pregnancy and a declaration that Missouri is to be a “sanctuary of life.”
HISTORY MADE! Missouri Stands with the Unborn Act (@Koenig4MO) passed by the Senate (24-10). No abortions after a heartbeat is detected, no abortions after the baby can feel pain, abortions are outlawed after Roe v. Wade is overturned. #prolife #moleg pic.twitter.com/pottSt7tGg
— Missouri Senate Republicans (@MoSenateGOP) May 16, 2019
“In recognition that God is the author of life,” begins the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act (HB 126) that state House Speaker Elijah Haahr (R) labeled the “strongest pro-life bill in the country.”
“[I]t is the intention of the general assembly of the state of Missouri” to “defend the right to life of all humans, born and unborn” and to “declare that the state and all of its political subdivisions are a ‘sanctuary of life’ that protects pregnant women and their unborn children,” the legislation states.
Joint statement from @DaveSchatz26 and @calebrowden on HB 126, historic #prolife protections. #moleg pic.twitter.com/yTpe9WdP9T
— Missouri Senate Republicans (@MoSenateGOP) May 16, 2019
“This comprehensive, life-affirming legislation prohibits abortions once a heartbeat has been detected, prohibits abortions when a baby is capable of feeling pain, and would outlaw abortion in Missouri upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade,” summarized state Sens. Dave Schatz and Caleb Rowden in a joint statement.
The bill’s approval by the Republican-led state Senate, with a vote of 24-10, came just hours after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed into law a bill that bans most abortions at any time during pregnancy, except those necessary in order to prevent “a serious health risk to the unborn child’s mother.”
The Missouri legislation now heads to the Republican-led House for approval, before it can go to the desk of Gov. Mike Parson, also a Republican, who expressed support for it on Wednesday.
“Thanks to the leaders in the House and Senate, we have the opportunity to be one of the strongest pro-life states in the country,” Parson said.
As other states like New York and Virginia venture further away from the American ideal to protect and uphold the #RightToLife, I’m honored to lead a state with so many people who are committed to standing up for those without a voice.
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) May 15, 2019
I fully support my husband, @GovParsonMO, on his pro-life stand! All human life is sacred at every stage! #MissouriProud #ProLife pic.twitter.com/Yr2Chcp1Sp
— First Lady Teresa Parson (@FirstLadyTeresa) May 15, 2019
The measure protects unborn babies from abortion beginning at eight weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
Doctors who perform abortions after the eight-week period could face five to 15 years of jail time. Women who receive abortions after the eighth week of pregnancy would not be prosecuted.
Additionally, if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, Missouri’s measure includes a complete ban on abortions except in cases of medical emergencies.
The Missouri legislation also contains contingency plans if the courts block the proposed eight-week ban, including a range of bans from 14-20 weeks of pregnancy, and a ban on all abortions due to race, sex or a diagnosis of Down syndrome.