Although legislation and judicial acts at the federal level often receive the most attention, it is the local level that gives pro-life individuals the greatest chance for making a difference by talking one-on-one to their neighbors and directly supporting legislation aimed at protecting life.
Those in Wisconsin have a great opportunity to take a stand on behalf of unborn children through three different bills currently being considered by the state legislature. Next Tuesday, September 27, the Senate will take up AB 207 (the Hundertmark/Roessler Conscience Protection Act), AB 499 (the Kestell/Leibham Cloning Ban Bill), SB 138 (the Grothman/Nischke Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act) as well as AB 270 (the Wieckert/Leibham Cord Blood Bill).
To say we are ecstatic is an understatement, said Susan Armacost, Legislative Director for Wisconsin Right to Life, reacting to the bills. All of these important measures are greatly needed in our state and richly deserve the support of all state senators.
In addition, yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee heard public testimony on three other measures strongly supported by Wisconsin Right to Life. Senate Bill 71 (Kedzie/Hines) would prohibit wrongful life and wrongful birth lawsuits in Wisconsin. Such lawsuits blatantly discriminate against those born with disabilities.
Senate Bill 72 (Leibham/Suder) would prevent state tax dollars from flowing to organizations that provide or promote abortion. Senate Bill 97 (Kedzie/Vukmir) would strengthen Wisconsins current law requiring parental consent prior to a minors abortion.
Testifying on behalf of Wisconsin Right to Life in support of the three bills will be Mary A. Klaver, the organizations Legislative Legal Counsel.
The Conscience Protection Act (AB 207), which will be debated on the Senate floor Tuesday, would protect medical professionals, medical students, medical facilities and medical schools from being forced to participate in abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, the deliberate destruction of human embryos for research purposes or any other purpose, and the use of the body parts of aborted babies. The bill does not prohibit any of the activities from taking place but simply protects those in the health care community who do not wish to engage in activities that deliberately destroy human life.
The Cloning Ban Bill (AB 499) would prohibit the cloning of human embryos for any purpose, including the cloning of human embryos who would be destroyed in medical experiments.
The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act (SB 138) would require that women who are seeking abortions and whose unborn children are 20 weeks or more gestation, be informed of the scientific evidence that unborn children at this stage of development have the capacity to feel pain and that the abortion methods most commonly used as this stage of development can cause the child to feel excruciating pain.
The Cord Blood Bill (AB 270) would set up the mechanisms in Wisconsin for women to donate their already-born babies umbilical cord blood to approved cord blood banks. This legislation perfectly complements the Cloning Ban Bill by promoting a source of stem cells that have proven to be highly effective in treating a number of diseases and conditions yet do not involve the destruction of human life.
"We are so appreciative to the State Senate leadership and to Sen. Dave Zien, chair of the Judiciary Committee, for allowing these important measures to have a full and open debate," said Armacost. "We are truly looking forward to the hearing today and to what promises to be a number of lively and informative debates on the State Senate floor next Tuesday."
Source: Wisconsin Right to Life Press Release
