Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Montana committee hears hours of testimony on proposed personhood constitutional amendment
Summary
The Montana House Judiciary Committee heard several hours of in-person and remote testimony for and against House Bill 316, a proposed constitutional amendment that would define “person” to begin at fertilization; opponents warned of consequences for IVF, medical care and existing voter-approved protections.
Representative Lee Deming, sponsor of House Bill 316, opened the hearing by asking the committee to amend Article II of the Montana Constitution so the word “person” would “apply to all members of mankind at any stage of development, beginning at the stage of fertilization or conception.”
The bill would add language to Article II declaring that “the word person applies to all members of mankind at any stage of development, beginning at the stage of fertilization or conception, regardless of age, health, level, functioning, or condition of dependency.” Deming described his intent as consistency “from conception to natural death.”
Proponents told the committee the change is a scientific and moral clarification. Derek A. Stryker, chief legal counsel for the Montana Family Foundation, said “a new and unique human life begins at fertilization” and urged the committee to give the measure a “do pass.” Annie Bucacek, president of the Montana Pro-Life Coalition, and multiple other in-person and remote witnesses offered personal and religious…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
