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Alaska "Natural Right to Life" Initiative (2014)
The initiative was rejected by both the state attorney general and lieutenant governor. However, due to litigation, the measure is currently under the review of the Alaska Supreme Court, awaiting a ruling of whether or not the measure is constitutional.
This is the second of two initiatives that proposed similar laws. The first initiative was filed in 2010 by Clinton Desjarlais, Herbert Rollins and Leslie Zerbe. This initiative was called the "Sanctity of Life in Alaska" initiative. However, the measure application was denied by the Alaska Attorney General and the Alaska Lieutenant Governor.[2]
This current initiative is sponsored by Clinton Desjarlais, Herbert Rollins and Leslie Zerbe. However, after being denied again, proponents of the measure took the issue to court.
Text of measure
Proposed bill language
The sponsors' proposed bill language read as follows:[3]
Be it enacted by the people of the state of Alaska:
Section. 1. AS 18 is amended by adding a new chapter to read:
- Chapter. 18. 01. Natural Right to Life.
Section. 2. AS 18. 01 is amended by adding a new section to read:
- Section. 18. 01. Natural Right to Life. The State of Alaska shall protect the natural right to life and body of all mankind from the beginning of biological development. We the People affirm that the natural right to life and body of the unborn child supersedes the statutory right of the mother to consent to the injury or death of her unborn child. In life threatening situations the law of necessity shall dictate between the life of the mother and her child.
Path to the ballot
The initiative effort must collect 30,169 signatures by January 2014 in order to be sent to the Alaska State Legislature. If the legislature chooses not to enact the measure, it would be placed on a 2014 ballot.
See also
References
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