Legislature Sends Two Bills Preventing Late-Term Abortions to the Governor

The Missouri General Assembly today advanced two identical measures to the governor’s desk for his consideration. Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, sponsored the Senate bill and handled the House bill that would change provisions relating to abortions in Missouri with respect to viability. Senate Bill 65 and House Bill 213 would prevent the abortion of unborn babies of the gestational age of 20 weeks or more that are determined by a physician to be viable outside of the womb.

“This measure is particularly important to me in that it serves to ensure that babies capable of sustaining life outside of the womb are not subject to such an unnecessary and horrific end to their life,” said Mayer.

The legislation would, with the exception of a medical emergency, require the physician to determine the gestational age of the unborn child before performing an abortion. If the doctor determines the baby is 20 weeks or more, the physician would test for viability. If viable, no abortion could be performed unless it is necessary to preserve the life of the woman.

If the unborn child is 20 weeks or more, not determined viable, and an abortion is performed, the bill requires the doctor to submit a report to the Department of Health and Senior Services.

“At 20 weeks, a baby is approximately the length of a banana, she can hear sounds and even covers her ears with her hands if things are too noisy, and her twisting, turning, punching and kicking movements can start to be felt by the mother,” said Mayer. “State law already requires mothers to be informed about other alternatives to abortion. These bills go further by preventing an abortion from being performed later in the gestation period if the unborn baby is able to live outside the womb.”

Penalties for violating the provisions of this bill would include a Class C felony, and physicians who plead guilty to or are convicted of performing or inducing an abortion in violation of this act could be subject to having their license to practice medicine in Missouri suspended for three years. Also, any hospital or ambulatory surgical center that knowingly violates this act could be subject to suspension or revocation of its license.

Both bills now move to the governor’s desk for his consideration.

A Moment with Mike for March 23rd, 2011

Last week marked the half-way point in this legislative session and this week of “spring break” will give us a chance to spend some time at home and connect with those in our district. I look forward to that opportunity and plan to spend several days visiting schools and talking to those 4^th grade classes that are starting to study Missouri history and government. I have tried to keep constituents apprised of what is going on in the House and what legislation is being passed that could affect all of us. Several initiatives were passed out of the House and sent on to the Senate last week.

HB 294, approved by the House last week, would strengthen the Second Amendment rights of Missouri citizens. One provision of the bill would lower the age requirement on concealed-carry permits from 23 to 21. Currently, Missouri is the only state to have an age requirement of 23 and this change would put Missouri in line with the majority of other states. The bill would also keep sales taxes on firearms and ammunition from rising above the rate of other sporting good items. While there is not currently a higher rate on ammunition, the bill would prevent this idea, which has been frequently discussed in other states, from happening in Missouri. The bill also changes some antiquated laws that pertain to the purchase of rifles and shotguns and allows Missourians greater freedom when purchasing firearms.

A bill I mentioned in a previous column (HB 213) made its way to the House floor last week. This legislation would make it illegal to abort a fetus deemed capable of living outside the womb. Specifically, it would ban abortions after 20 weeks unless two doctors verify that a fetus is either not viable or constitutes a medical threat to the mother. Doctors would use tests of the fetus’ gestational age, weight and lung function. For a fetus found to be unviable, a doctor would be required to report to the state why the child was unviable after performing the abortion. Doctors who violate the proposed law could be severely fined or imprisoned. We know that there are few abortions performed after 20 weeks but it is in the best interest of all Missourians who value life to make it clear that these abortions cannot be performed unless they represent a threat to the life of the mother.

A proposed amendment to the state constitution passed by the House last week would ensure the right to a secret ballot for anyone voting to form or join a union. HJR 6 was passed because we believe existing law has worked well to allow employees to vote to unionize in private where they are free from intimidation or coercion. We want to protect the rights of Missourians to continue to vote in private even if federal law changes.

The first thing on the agenda when we return on March 28^th will be passage of the House version of our state budget for 2012. We will present a balanced budget that will then go to the Senate for discussion and revision. This is required by law and definitely the most important thing that we do each year.

If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101