Missouri lawmakers declare late-term abortion ‘infanticide’
The Layman Online, September 17, 1999
Legislators in Missouri have made it a felony – specifically called infanticide – to perform “partial birth” abortions.
They voted 27-7 in the Senate and 127-34 in the House to override the veto of Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan. The Associated Press quoted Carnahan as saying, “It’s an unfortunate day for the women of Missouri. This bill is far more extreme than its opponents claim.”
The state’s “Infant Protection Act” makes it a felony equivalent to murder for anyone to cause “the death of a living infant … by an overt act performed when the infant is partially born or born.”
The only exception to the act is when the life of the pregnant mother or another fetus is at risk.
The Associated Press said there is no record of a partial birth abortion ever being performed in the state. But Planned Parenthood, Missouri’s largest abortion provider, said it was immediately suspending performing all abortions because of questions about their legality under the new law. Planned Parenthood affiliates in Kansas City and St. Louis said they would ask federal courts on Friday to put the law on hold while they challenge it.