A Lakes Area Representative is among those prefiling legislation to be considered for the next Missouri General Assembly.
The full press release from 156th State Representative Brian Seitz is below:
On the first day of pre-filing for the upcoming regular session of the Missouri House of Representatives, Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, filed House Bill 1616, the Missouri Personhood Bill.
“This simple, yet absolutely necessary, piece of legislation is designed to protect the life of the infant in the womb by declaring them to be an individual person in the State of Missouri," Seitz said. "The Dobbs decision has led to a number of states codifying abortion rights in their state constitutions, but here in Missouri we need to renew our convictions to fight for the unborn."
The legislation states, in part, that, "The life of each human being begins at conception. Unborn children have protectable interests in life, health, and well-being and are entitled to the same rights, powers, privileges, justice, and protections as are secured or granted by the laws of this state to any other human person.”
Seitz drafted the legislation, in part, because of the failure of the Legislature to pass initiative petition reforms last session.
"Due to the relative ease by which out-of-state organizations can manipulate our state constitution through the initiative petition process, this legislation has become necessary," Seitz said. "Leadership in the Missouri Senate failed to take care of the problem last session, despite urgency from the House to address the issue of initiative petition reform, making this personhood bill absolutely essential to protect innocent life in Missouri.”
The United States Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs case now allows for states to create their own laws regarding the issue of abortion. Seitz says now is the time to strengthen the rights of the unborn, despite many states doing the opposite.
Seitz concluded, "If this type of legislation is not fast-tracked to the governor’s desk, abortion on demand could become enshrined in the Missouri Constitution. As a Christian I find that to be unconscionable and at odds with our values as a pro-life state.”
The Missouri Legislature returns to session January 3, 2024.
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