As a Republican here in the Missouri House, I can proudly say that we have worked hard to ensure that every Missourian, including those in the womb, have life. Over the past ten years, the Republican majority has enacted several laws that protect the unborn and reduce the number of abortions performed in the state. And we are continuing our important work on this issue this session.

One of the bills this session that continues our mission to reduce the number of abortions in the state is HB 1274, commonly called the Abortion-Inducing Drug Safety Act. This legislation puts restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs like RU 486 by ensuring that these drugs are subject to the same legal requirements as other types of abortions. The bill also adds penalty provisions to the law.

For example, HB 1274 requires the attending physician to perform a physical exam of the patient and document the gestational age of the unborn baby in the patient’s medical record prior to using the drug to perform the abortion. Any physician who violates these provisions of HB 1274 will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.

Physicians will also have to administer the drug in a hospital or abortion clinic, and it prohibits anyone other than a physician from prescribing or administering the drug. Violators of this provision will be charged with a Class B felony.

Here in the Missouri House, we are working hard to eliminate abortion clinics and reduce the number of abortions no matter how they are performed. In the past 10 years, you have seen the number of abortion clinics in the state diminish and abortions become rarer because of our leadership on this issue. And we will continue to work to protect the fundamental right to life whenever we can. It’s the right thing to do.

Please let me know if you would like to receive my weekly newsletter updates via electronic E-Mail, by sending an email with your name to: Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov You may also go to the House members’ website (http://www.house.mo.gov/) and sign up for the newsletter on my home page. At that location, you also have access to other House information and can review or watch the actions on legislative bills; as well as listen to live session audio.

As always, I appreciate hearing from you about your comments, opinions and concerns regarding legislative matters and state government. My phone number is 573-751-5912. You may also write me at: “Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol, Room 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806.”

In a ruling released last week, the Cole County Circuit Court rendered a decision which is striking down the Voter ID amendment that was set for November’s ballot. The court wrote that it struck down the proposed amendment for two reasons -- the summary language was “insufficient and unfair” and the amendment would restrict early voting.

The court’s decision was very disappointing to me. It is unfortunate that the Democrats and an activist judge have been able to derail this common sense proposal, once again.

In response to the ruling, the Missouri House has sprung into action to ensure this issue does make the ballot this year. To rectify the situation, Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-Willard, MO) has introduced two separate pieces of legislation, HCR 53 and HJR 89 which we hope to have passed before session ends.

HCR 53 is a resolution revising the summary statement of the proposed amendment. The judge struck down the original summary language because it included the phrase the “Voter Protection Act” which doesn’t appear in the language of the amendment. HCR 53 brings the summary language into compliance with the ruling.

Next, HJR 89 totally rewrites the constitutional amendment. We will need this option if rewriting the summary language runs into difficulty again. HJR 89 removes all of the early voting language from the original amendment, leaving only the photo identification language. If passed, the new amendment would replace the language struck down by the court on November’s ballot.

Here in the Missouri House, we are working hard to protect the integrity of our elections. And although we were dealt a blow with the court striking down the proposed Voter ID amendment, we remain committed to having this important constitutional amendment on the ballot this November.

The Women Legislators of Missouri are once again offering nine $500 scholarships to 2012 graduating high school senior young women. One scholarship will be awarded to someone living in each of the congressional districts. April 20 is the deadline to apply. Anyone who is interested should contact her high school counselor for more information and an application form. Interested applicants may also contact my office for application paperwork if the counselor is unable to assist.

I’m always excited when folks from home come to visit the State Capitol. Missouri has one of the most beautiful capitols in the country. We have excellent Capitol tour guides and when the legislature is in session, you can watch the action from the visitors’ gallery. And, of course, don’t forget to stop by my office for a visit.

I hope everyone had a happy and blessed Easter and you were able to spend time with family and friends in celebration that our Christ has risen!

Please let me know if you would like to receive my weekly newsletter updates via electronic E-Mail, by sending an email with your name to: Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov You may also go to the House members’ website (http://www.house.mo.gov/) and sign up for the newsletter on my home page. At that location, you also have access to other House information and can review or watch the actions on legislative bills.

As always, I appreciate hearing from you about your comments, opinions and concerns regarding legislative matters and state government. My phone number is 573-751-5912. You may also write me at: “Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol, Room 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806."

The bill touches on two issues that have always been important to us. First, HB 1075 protects the life of the unborn by keeping a pharmacy from being required to carry abortion-inducing drugs like RU 486. Here in the House, we don’t think it is right for the state or federal government to impose its moral code on Missouri businesses. A pharmacy should never have to choose between their religious convictions and the products they sell.

Currently, there are numerous legal products that a business owner may find morally objectionable. As legislators, it is time we realize that some products being sold in pharmacies across the state may be diametrically opposed to the moral conscious of the owner. HB 1075 would allow pharmacies to only carry those products which don’t violate their moral compass.

Next, the legislation gets government off the back of pharmacies by ensuring that they have the power to make their own decisions. It isn’t the job of the state to intrude on the freedom of any owner by determining what they can or cannot sell. HB 1075 goes a long way in keeping the heavy hand of the state out of these important decisions. It now goes to the Senate for their consideration.

Here in the House, we know that your values are important to you, and we will continue working to preserve the principles you live by every day. The pharmacy-conscious bill protects the moral conscious of owners and keeps the state from encroaching on the freedom of a pharmacy owner to make certain decisions.

I was pleased to have high school seniors, Gabby Wisdom and Morgan Hovis, at the Capital this week as part of their FCCLA leadership annual trip. Each student was assigned to “shadow” a legislator during the day to learn more about government.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. 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 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101 or email me at: Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov.