A proposed amendment to the Kansas
Constitution to ban abortion has been formally introduced by 25
state House members.
The lawmakers filed their proposed "personhood" amendment
Wednesday.
The measure would amend the state constitution’s Bill of Rights
to declare that Kansas guarantees the rights of every person,
starting with fertilization of the human egg.
Critics say it’s broad enough to ban common birth control
methods. Even some abortion opponents are wary of the proposal,
fearing its enactment would lead to a lawsuit and unfavorable court
decisions.
Two-thirds of both the House and Senate must approve the measure
for it to go to a statewide vote. It would appear on the ballot in
the August primary, when approval by a simple majority of voters
would change the constitution.