Friday, September 23, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Protects Right to Life for Unborn Children
JEFFERSON CITY—In seven ceremonies across the state Gov. Matt Blunt is signing important pro-life legislation that upholds values that reinforce the right to life and will reduce the number of abortions in Missouri.
"I am pleased to sign this landmark pro-life bill into law and am grateful to the Missouri legislators who worked to make this possible," Blunt said. "I pledged to the people of Missouri that enacting good pro-life legislation would be one of my top priorities. This is a milestone achievement in our efforts to reverse the pro-abortion policies of the past and to contribute to a culture that values human life."
Blunt is the first governor to sign significant pro-life legislation in more than a decade.
The new law provides additional barriers to taking a minor out of Missouri for an abortion to evade Missouri’s parental notification law. It is designed to protect parents’ rights under Missouri law and stop individuals from facilitating a minor’s access to an out-of-state abortion clinic without a parent’s knowledge or consent. The legislation specifically addresses "intent" so that trusted adults may continue to advise expectant minors about their options.
In addition the legislation sets meaningful safety standards at abortion clinics including adding a requirement that physicians have clinical privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of where they perform abortions. This requirement could save a woman’s life if she develops complications resulting from an abortion.
Blunt was joined by the bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Loudon, John McCastle, director of the Missouri Alliance for Life and representatives from other pro-life groups at stops in Jefferson City, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Hannibal, St. Joseph, Joplin, and Springfield.
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