KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A proposed anti-abortion bill approved by the Missouri House Wednesday would give the state one of the strictest abortion laws in the country.
The legislation, which the Republican-led House approved in a near party-line 117-30 vote, would prevent an abortion at the first sign of a heartbeat, even in cases of rape.
In addition, if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, a trigger ban would go into effect that includes exceptions only for medical emergencies and not for rape or incest.
At Salon TCB in Kansas City, conversation on Wednesday turned to the controversial issue of pro-life or pro-choice.
“Personally for myself, I don’t believe in abortions, I feel like everyone deserves a chance at life,” said Tee Christian, a hairstylist at Salon TCB.
“I just don’t think that is something that should be decided by other people, the law or anyone, that is a woman’s decision,” said LaTashia Adams, another hairstylist at the salon.
Among other provisions in the bill, a woman would not be able to have an abortion based on race, sex or the detection of Down syndrome.
“I don't think the legislation is designed to tell a woman what to do with her body, it is designed to tell a woman what she can’t do to another human being,” said Bill Francis, director of the Respect Life Office of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City—St. Joseph. “What we are focused on in this legislation is not targeting the death, the killing of the child and using the health of the mother as an excuse because it is a smokescreen objection.”
At the salon, women who spoke with 41 Action News represented the dichotomy between both sides of a divisive issue often debated on the national stage.
“I do believe certain circumstances in life, like rape, that is more severe,” Christian said.
“I don’t agree with it, I see a lot of people using it as birth control, a lot of younger people,” said Jauana Ragland, a customer at the salon. “That should not be the concern. The concern to me should be the safety on the street.”
The Republican-led Senate will now take up the bill. Gov. Mike Parson has already voiced his support for the legislation passed by the House.
Currently, Missouri only has one abortion provider, located in St. Louis.
This report contains information from the Associated Press.
