In a move that goes beyond existing pro-life laws, some Republican lawmakers in Missouri are advocating for the implementation of manslaughter charges against women who receive abortions. The proposed legislation, presented to both the House of State and the Senate, will be considered in the next legislative session. It seeks to extend homicide laws to include abortions performed at any stage of pregnancy, and the fetus is recognized as an “unborn child at every stage of development.”
The proposed laws, however, would provide exemptions in cases where a woman terminates a pregnancy due to coercion or threats, or if a doctor performs an abortion to save the woman's life. GOP state Rep. Bob Titus, a sponsor of one of the measures, said the intent is to protect the life of the unborn, with prosecution being the result of taking an innocent life.
According to Titus, charges would not be required if people comply with existing state law that prohibits abortion at all stages of pregnancy except in cases where the mother's life is at risk or there is a serious risk to your physical health. Missouri is among 14 states that currently ban abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions.
The introduction of these bills coincides with efforts by two groups to have measures on the Missouri ballot in 2024 that would expand abortion rights. One group proposes allowing access to abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, while the other, made up of moderate Republicans, aims to reduce restrictions to a lesser degree.
Following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade of 1973 last year, most Republican-controlled states have adopted abortion bans or restrictions, while Democratic-controlled states have taken steps to safeguard women's access to the procedure. However, pro-life groups have generally opposed measures that would allow women to face charges for having an abortion. Legislation similar to the one proposed in Missouri has been introduced in other states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina, but no legislative committee has moved forward.
the mail Missouri lawmakers propose manslaughter charges for women who get abortions appeared first NewsGPT.ai.
English 
Español de Venezuela 