Missouri Senate Overrides Veto on Right to Know Bill
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 11, 2003
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) — Abortion facilities in Missouri will now be required to make information available to women regarding abortion risks and alternatives, thanks to an override vote in the Missouri Senate.
On Thursday, the Missouri Senate voted 25-8 to override pro-abortion Gov. Bob Holden’s (D-MO) veto of the Right to Know bill. Now the bill, which has helped reduce abortions in other states, will become law.
Five Democrats joined all Senate Republicans in supporting the override.
The law requires abortion practitioners to furnish women with information 24 hours before an abortion about any medical, psychological, or emotional risks associated with abortion.
A woman considering an abortion must sign a statement saying she received the information. Abortion practitioners who fail to supply the information can be prosecuted.
The Missouri state House voted 120-35 to override the veto on Wednesday — well past the two-thirds necessary.
Hundreds of pro-life advocates who packed the chamber gallery burst into applause following the vote.
Similar bills in other states have proven effective in reducing the number of abortions by as much as one-third.
"The women who don’t know all their options and don’t understand the risks of an abortion" are the ones who are at risk, said Dave Plemmons, a representative of Missouri Right to Life.
Abortion advocates oppose the bill and say it infringes on the right to have an abortion.
Related web sites:
Missouri Right to Life – https://www.missourilife.org
