Abortion Would be Denied by Missouri Constitution Under Approved Committee Measure

Intro:	A bill to "recognize the right to life of every unborn human child" in Missouri was approved in committee Tuesday.
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Wrap: Abortions would be outright abolished under a bill passed by the House Children and Families Committee.

The first bill would not allow funding for abortions or the right to abortion in Missouri.

Republican Representative Mike Moon said his bill asserts all Missourians' right to life from conception.

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Description: However a child is concieved, it's still a child.

Opponents said the measure takes choice out of women's hands, when their lives and mental health are at stake.

The measure was amended to deny abortions in cases of rape, incest, or severe health risks of the mother. It originally included an exception in these instances.

The bill would have to pass through the House, Senate and a ballot measure to become law.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A constitutional amendment to deny abortions in Missouri passed a House committee.
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Wrap: Abortions would be abolished in all cases under a bill passed by a House committee.

The bill would not allow any funding or right to abortion.

St. Louis County Representative Stacey Newman said the measure takes choice out of women's hands, when their lives and mental health are at stake.

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Description: It's punitive, it's heartless, and it's saying the legislature knows better.

The bill's supporters said it asserts all Missourians' right to life from conception.

The measure was amended to deny abortions in cases of rape, incest, or severe health risks of the mother. It originally included an exception in these instances.

The bill would have to pass a ballot measure to become law.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A measure to put restrictions on abortion-providing doctors, abortion clinics and aborted tissue donation passed a House committee.
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Wrap: If the bill passes, the woman having an abortion and her doctors could not donate fetal tissue to a research center. Also, doctors would need stricter qualifications with their local hospitals. Abortion clinics would be inspected more often as well.

Republican Representative Kathryn Swan said the restrictions are necessary to protect women when they are getting abortions.

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Description: The procedure, and the gender for a procedure should not impact the lack of enforcing any regulations that we have for health care.

Those against the bill said the limitations were created to make abortions harder to perform.

The bill will go to the House next for approval.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.