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Senate Judiciary hears hours of testimony on proposed personhood constitutional amendment
Summary
Representative Lee Deming’s HB316 would define 'person' to include all human life 'beginning at fertilization'; proponents framed it as a moral and constitutional correction, opponents warned it would conflict with last year’s CI‑128, threaten IVF and miscarriage care and invite legal uncertainty. The committee voted to concur and send the measure to the floor.
Representative Lee Deming opened House Bill 316 as a proposal to amend the Montana Constitution to define "person" to include "all members of mankind at any stage of development, beginning at the stage of fertilization or conception." He framed the measure as an effort to extend constitutional protections he says the framers intended.
Proponents argued repeatedly that personhood begins at fertilization and that the constitution should reflect that view. Bill Lisonbee, a Ravalli County official, told the committee that scripture and conscience compel the change (testimony began SEG 1550). Medical and…
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