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PINE BLUFFS — Okay, so we lost on HB78 (methamphetamine use during pregnancy) and SF66 (homicide during pregnancy). Before we point fingers and make excuses, let’s recall that although we elect our representatives to do our political will, with fewer people sharing common values, political will, clouded by divergent opinions, can be difficult to discern. The process is open to all. Everyone, even those with whom we disagree, has the right, within the law, to attempt to influence legislators.
HB78 became necessary because of a court case involving Wyoming’s methamphetamine endangering children before birth law. Dismissing charges against a mother for passing meth along to her unborn child during pregnancy because the statutory definition of “child” didn’t include the words “unborn child,” the Court ruled that women who ingest meth during pregnancy cannot be prosecuted under that law. An amendment was needed.
SF66, Homicide during Pregnancy Act, would have added 20 additional years to the sentence of anyone convicted of murdering a pregnant woman.
LEGISLATORS RESPOND
Two Legislators stepped up. “Representative Elaine Harvey (R-Big Horn) worked hard to write a well-drafted bill [HB87] addressing [this] concern,” said Keith Gingery (R-Fremont). SF66 was introduced in the Senate by John Barrasso (R-Casper). Both bills faced problems from the get-go.
PRO-ABORTION GROUPS FIGHT
Predictably, abortion advocates were upset. Some of these people, who live etsi Deus non daretur — as if God didn’t exist — will demonstrate carrying placards to “save the baby whales,” but will do nothing to stop the slaughter of baby humans. NARAL Pro-Choice Wyoming, recognizing that these proposals add to the growing understanding that unborn children have worth, announced lobbying plans against them (Abortion Rights group sounds alarm on bills, Casper Star-Tribune, 1/31/06. Their supporters immediately began prowling the Legislative halls in Cheyenne, in opposition.
Senator Barrasso: “Meth is highly addictive. When mother and baby go off meth, they suffer withdrawal symptoms. Babies exposed to meth during pregnancy suffer from developmental delays.”
This clearly shows a compelling State interest for such legislation. Pregnant women using meth pass quantities of the drug along to unborn children, causing burdensome problems for State healthcare and educational systems, not to mention increasing numbers of fatal automobile accidents and suicides.
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
HB87 failed introduction. WyWatch reported and Harvey confirmed the vote; 35 ayes, 24 nos, 1 excused. This, Elaine Harvey said, “likely reflected that folks were trying to limit the work load during this 20-day session. Another factor was the lobbying efforts.”
SF66 also failed introduction; 15 ayes, 15 nos. Will it be filed again next session? “When a pregnant woman is murdered, two lives have been taken,” Barrasso said. “I’ll continue to work [for] justice for both victims.”
At next year’s session, only a simple majority will be required for introduction. If filed, these bills should pass the introductory vote without difficulty. What happens after that depends upon lessons learned this year. Lobbying counts. We need to get out there earlier and in greater numbers, countering pro-abortion pressure tactics. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to let our pro-life legislators know we appreciate their efforts.
Wyomingites are overwhelmingly pro-life. Most understand unborn babies have value. It’s a shame that another year must pass before unborn children are protected in their mother’s wombs; but there is always next year.
Sacco, a licensed private detective and a published author of two novels, The China Connection, and Little Sister Lost, writes from Pine Bluffs.