Taking Steps to Protect Life

NEWS RELEASE    ---     From the Office of Representative Shelley Keeney - 156^th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:    Rep. Shelley Keeney
April 8, 2011	(573) 751-5912

 Taking Steps to Protect Life

For most people, talking about the issue of abortion can ignite strong feelings one way or the other. As a result, making any changes to laws regarding the rights of the unborn can become controversial and divisive.

In the Missouri House we have a strong majority of elected officials who are proud to support the pro-life cause.  This majority is made up of both Republicans and Democrats, and together we know it is in the best interests of the pro-life cause if we advocate our position in a reasonable and professional manner. 

This week we were able to achieve another great victory for the rights of the unborn in Missouri, but do it in a way that was respectable and professional.  Many of us were able to argue our passion for the issue and maintain our composure on the sometimes divisive issue; and in the end, not only did we achieve success for our cause, but also earned greater respect for handling the issue with good demeanor.

The legislation known as, House Bill 213 would ban late-term abortions without a valid reason.  It specifies that no abortion of a “viable” unborn child can be performed or induced except for the health of the mother.  A child less than 20-weeks old is not considered “viable.”  In the case of a child more than 20-weeks old, the baby is considered viable unless a doctor performs a checkup and signs off that the child is not viable.

A doctor who signed that a child was not viable when it actually was, would be guilty of a class C felony, subject to severe fines and at least one year in jail.  Furthermore, the doctor would have his license to practice medicine suspended for three years.  Any facility where the procedure was performed could lose its license.

Our efforts on this issue will hopefully lead to the protection of even more lives in Missouri and potentially even more success in the future.

Please let me know if you would like to receive my weekly updates via electronic E-Mail, by sending an email with your name to:Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns about state government.  Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-5912.  You may write me at: Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol -- Room 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806 or email me.