Lawmakers may get another chance at 'personhood' legislation

BY RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
1/15/13 at 10:56 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY -- One of the most divisive issues of the 2012 legislative session apparently will be revisited this spring, with at least one "personhood" bill already filed.

State Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, is author of House Bill 1029, the Personhood Act of 2013. As written, the bill appears to be virtually identical to one that led to a bitter fight in the House before failing to get a vote on the floor.

The bill states that life begins at conception -- which is already part of state law -- and that "unborn children have protectable interests in life, health, and well-being," and that Oklahoma law "shall be interpreted and construed to acknowledge on behalf of the unborn child at every stage of development all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of this state."

Pregnant women are exempt from prosecution for "indirectly harming her unborn child" and miscarriages.

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State Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City