February 10
,
2012
by: ASRM Ofice of Public Affairs
Published in ASRM Bulletin Volume 14, Number 10
ASRM is actively opposing personhood legislation in several states and this week sent letters to elected officials in both Oklahoma and Virginia.
A health committee in the Oklahoma state senate approved a personhood bill, SB1433, earlier this week and the bill is scheduled to be considered by the full Senate on Monday, February 13. SB1433 would amend Oklahoma law to acknowledge on behalf of the unborn child at every stage of development all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of the state. The bill defines an “unborn child” to include “all unborn children or the offspring of human beings from the moment of conception until birth at every stage of biological development.” ASRM sent a letter of opposition to members of the committee prior to the committee vote and subsequently sent a letter to all members of the Senate in anticipation of the upcoming Senate vote. ASRM also sent an alert to its Oklahoma members urging them to similarly convey opposition to their Senators.
In Virginia, HB 1 will be considered today by the House Committee for Courts on Justice, where it is expected to be approved and sent to the full House for an expected vote early next week where it is also expected to pass. Like the Oklahoma bill, HB 1 would amend Virginia state law to convey to any unborn child all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons in the state and includes the same definition of unborn child. An exception is made for “lawful assisted conception,” a term undefined in the bill language. ASRM sent a letter opposing HB 1 to all members of the Virginia House of Delegates.
The ASRM Bulletin is published by ASRM's Office of Public Affairs to inform Society members of important recent developments. Republication or any other use of the contents of the Bulletin without permission is prohibited. To request permission to quote or excerpt material from the Bulletin, contact Sean Tipton at stipton@asrm-dc.org.