Dismemberment abortion is a particularly gruesome second trimester abortion procedure. It requires an unborn child to be dismembered limb by limb inside the mother’s womb. In 2018, there were 1,908 dismemberment abortions in Michigan reported to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. This petition drive, operating under the committee named Michigan Values Life, was organized by Right to Life of Michigan and supported by Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC). It proposes a ban on dismemberment abortion for the Michigan Legislature to consider.
On December 23, 2019 Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC), Right to Life of Michigan, and other pro-life groups visited the Secretary of State's office to deliver 379,418 petition signatures gathered from across Michigan in support of the End Dismemberment Abortion petition drive.
What are the next steps for the dismemberment abortion petition?
Although the process was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the state Bureau of Elections has resumed processing signatures on the petitions to end dismemberment abortion. Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) reported on this update in the May 15th Lansing Update.
Once the signatures are verified, the legislation will be submitted to the Michigan House of Representatives and State Senate. The Legislature then has 40 calendar days either to approve, reject, or not vote on the petitions.
If a simple majority in both chambers approves the bill, it becomes law without requiring the governor's signature. If state lawmakers vote against the petition language or take no action, it will go on the ballot to be approved or rejected by Michigan voters.
Click here to learn more about the petition drive on the Michigan Catholic Conference website.
For more information or support, you may contact Lisa Irwin.