New Missouri Abortion Initiative Petitions Draw Criticism

Missouri State Capitol. Photo by Office of Administration, Commissioner’s Office.

(MissouriNet) Missouri could include additional abortion exceptions. Missouri’s abortion ban currently includes an exception for health emergencies of the mother but does not include exceptions for rape and incest. Several initiative petitions filed that seek to add those to the ban are receiving pushback from both sides of the issue. Anti-abortion groups claim they are far too expansive, and abortion rights proponents argue they are too restrictive. The Missouri Independent reports that they are filed by political operative Jamie Corley with assistance from Democratic attorney Chuck Hatfield. They are being pitched as a middle ground between the ban currently in place and more expansive proposals filed earlier this year by abortion rights supporters.