A coalition of left-wing groups on Thursday formally launched an effort to enshrine the right to kill unborn children into the Missouri state constitution.
Missourians for Constitutional Freedoms, which includes the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri (ACLU), Planned Parenthood Great Plains, and the Abortion Movement Missouri, announced that the entire state would be closed after choosing one of the amendments from 11 options. NBC News reported that they have begun collecting signatures. report.
amendment It contains It's vague language similar to Ohio's abortion amendment passed in November 2023. For example, the proposed amendment uses the word “person” instead of “woman” and makes no distinction between ages. This amendment uses the umbrella term “reproductive freedom” as well as, but not limited to, “reproductive freedom.”
We will put abortion rights on the ballot! Together, we are working to restore the freedom for all Missourians to make their own health care decisions. Today, we are launching a campaign to repeal Missouri's abortion ban. #end banmo. Join the fight: https://t.co/1PoIPxOYey pic.twitter.com/mTRCFBa9Pc
— Missourians seeking constitutional freedoms (@Missourians4CF) January 18, 2024
The proposed amendment would eventually allow abortion up to the point of survival (approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy). From that point on, lawmakers can regulate abortions, but the final decision rests with doctors, meaning abortions can occur throughout the pregnancy.
Voting scale language read:
Governments must not deny or violate people's fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Reproductive freedom is the right to make and exercise decisions regarding all reproductive health care matters, including, but not limited to, prenatal care, childbirth, postnatal care, and contraception. , abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birth conditions.
The right to reproductive freedom may be denied, impeded, delayed, or otherwise denied unless the government demonstrates that such action is justified by a compelling government interest achieved by the least restrictive means. shall not be subject to any restrictions. Any denial, interference, delay or restriction of the right to reproductive freedom shall be deemed null and void. For purposes of this section, the government's interest is that it is for a limited purpose, has the limited effect of improving or maintaining the health of the person seeking treatment, and is a widely accepted clinical standard of practice. and considered enforceable only if consistent with evidence-based medicine. , does not infringe on a person's independent decision-making.
Notwithstanding section 3 of this article, the General Assembly provides that under no circumstances shall the government refuse, obstruct, delay, or otherwise restrict abortion based on a good faith medical decision. Legislation may be enacted regulating post-viability abortion provisions. Medical professionals are needed to protect a pregnant person's life, physical and mental health.
This language also says:o A person may be punished, prosecuted, or otherwise shall be subject to adverse measures. ”
“Furthermore, no person who assists a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with their consent shall be punished, prosecuted, or subject to any other adverse action for doing so.'' It is written in “Governments may not discriminate against persons who provide or receive reproductive health care or who assist others in doing so.”
If passed, the amendment would overturn a state law that prohibits abortions except in medical emergencies or to save a pregnant woman's life.
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Matt Purdy/Breitbart News
“Passing this amendment will end the state's abortion ban and allow Missourians and their families to once again make the decisions that are best for them,” said Tori, ACLU of Missouri's deputy director of policy and campaigns.・Mr. Schaefer stated. Said In an interview. “We believe that decisions about pregnancy, including abortion, contraception, and miscarriage care, are personal and private. And they should be left to the patient and their family.”
The coalition needs to collect and submit around 172,000 valid signatures by May 5 to be eligible for a vote in 2024.
According to the report:
If the effort is successful, it will be up to Republican Gov. Mike Parson to decide which ballots the measure applies to. Parson could, for example, put the amendment on the Aug. 6 ballot, when primaries for many of the state's offices (excluding the presidential primary) are held, or on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. There is a possibility to choose either.
Missouri is one of several states where abortion amendments could be on the ballot in 2024, and pro-abortion activists say they are the first state since abortion's collapse to have the right to kill an unborn child included in the state constitution. I am trying to specify. Roe vs. Wade In 2022.
Katherine Hamilton is a political reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her at @thekat_Hamilton.
