Missouri Senate Bill SCR37

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/9/22
• Refer: 5/9/22

Caption

Provides notice to the Revisor of Statutes of United States Supreme Court's overruling of Roe v. Wade

Impact

The passing of SCR37 indicates that Missouri intends to swiftly implement Section 188.017 of the 'Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act,' which categorizes the performance of an abortion as a Class B felony, barring medical emergencies. If enacted, this resolution would reinstate strict regulations on abortion in Missouri, effectively aligning state law with the recent changes at the federal level. As a result, the resolution signals a significant shift in the enforcement of abortion regulations, allowing for more stringent state control over this contentious issue.

Summary

SCR37, known as the Senate Concurrent Resolution 37, serves as a formal notification to the Revisor of Statutes regarding the United States Supreme Court's overruling of Roe v. Wade. The resolution emphasizes that the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion and highlights that Missouri law has traditionally recognized abortion as the murder of an unborn child. By invoking previous court rulings as examples of judicial overreach, this resolution positions Missouri's stance against abortion within the context of recent Supreme Court decisions, specifically referencing the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case that seeks to return authority over abortion regulation to state legislatures.

Contention

While proponents of SCR37 argue that it restores the rightful authority of states to decide on abortion issues in alignment with the views of their constituents, opponents may view this resolution as an infringement on women's rights and reproductive freedoms. Some critics may argue that the resolution could lead to increased legal and social challenges surrounding access to abortion services in Missouri. The implementation of such a strict policy could result in considerable public backlash and legal debates over the balance of state powers versus individual rights.