Sen. Crowell introduces legislation outlawing Missouri abortions

~ The following email dispatch was sent Wednesday afternoon by Sen. Crowell's office:

JEFFERSON CITY -- Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, introduced two pieces of legislation today that would outlaw abortion in the State of Missouri. The bill he filed would prohibit abortions and deem violations as Class B felonies.

The Senate Joint Resolution would put the issue on the ballot and allow Missouri voters to choose whether to allow pregnancies to be terminated in the state of Missouri.

"The need to protect unborn human life is something that all of us can agree on," Crowell said. "The rights of the unborn include the right to be born, and it's time that Missouri recognizes, respects and protects unborn human life."

Crowell filed the legislation because scientific and technological advances since the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade have confirmed that life begins at conception.

"As human beings, we owe our innocent unborn children the ability to have a chance in this world," Crowell said. "This legislation will protect the rights, interests and health of the pregnant mother and the baby. One does not deserve the protection more than the other."

The new law would not apply to instances in which the termination procedure would prevent the death of the mother, nor do the measures outlaw the use or sale of contraceptive devices or drugs. The legislation will soon be referred to committee to be considered before public hearings. Committee approval will return the measure to the Senate floor for debate by the entire body.