Democrat says abortion bill gives corporations "a conscience"
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Democrat says abortion bill gives corporations "a conscience"

Date: March 12, 2013
By: Alexander Mallin
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 457

Intro: 
A bill drawing criticism from Missouri's women's groups has one state Democrat saying it could also be a slippery slope toward turning corporations into people.
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican House Speaker Tim Jones is sponsoring the bill, which would allow doctors and nurses to refuse to perform medical procedures that violate their moral or religious beliefs.

But St. Louis County Democrat Rory Ellinger says he is worried that the language of the bill assigns corporations a conscience, a trait he says should only be reserved for humans.

Here's a segment of his exchange on the House floor with Jones.

Actuality:  TJONE.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: Ellinger: "You are creating a whole new world here of corporate law." Jones: "I disagree, and if I am gentlemen, it's a good world I'm creating."

Jones says the conscience of a corporation would be a mix of all of it's workers opinions, like its mission statement.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.

Intro: 
A bill passed through the Missouri House is getting backlash from some Democrats who say it could endanger the lives of some women seeking medical treatment.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican House Speaker Tim Jones is sponsoring the bill, which would allow doctors and nurses to refuse to perform medical procedures that violate their moral or religious beliefs.

But St. Louis County Democrat Margo McNeil says she's concerned about women who could be seeking emergency treatment-

Actuality:  MCNEIL.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "And the predicament that they may be in should employees in the hospital decide, no, they can't do this procedure any longer."

Jones says the bill provides for treatment in emergency situations.

He says the Democrats didn't read the bill, and that they should be "ashamed" for their position.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.