State Representative Gordon Denlinger has suspended work on a bill to amend the state constitution to ensure freedom of conscience for citizens who refuse to provide services for reasons of conscience or religion. He explained that he encountered difficulty in drafting the amendment so as to avoid providing a legal pretext for unjust discrimination. [insurancenewsnet.com]
Category: News
American HHS birth control mandate controversy
Little Sisters of the Poor have filed appeal in Denver, Colorado against the HHS Mandate. Catholic Notre Dame University in Indiana has been denied injunctive relief, apparently because it had already agreed to comply with the mandate. The Becket Fund reports 95 lawsuits filed against the federal government regulation, with over 300 plaintiffs: 47 by for-profit corporations, 46 by non-profit corporations, and two class action lawsuits. Of the rulings so far, 33 injunctions have been granted to for-profit corporations (six denied) and 19 have been granted to non-profit corporations (one denied).
Liberal Party of Canada adopts pro-euthanasia/assisted suicide policy
Canada’s Liberal Party, meeting at a policy convention in Montreal, Quebec, has overwhelmingly adopted a policy resolution favouring the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide. However, the policy is not binding on the party leader, Justin Trudeau, so it is not certain that it will be included in his official platform in the next Canadian federal election. The policy resolution calls for a change in the law after public consultation. [National Post]
Quebec euthanasia bill stalled
The government of Quebec was unable to convince the opposition Liberal Party to complete debate on Bill 52, legislation to legalize euthanasia, in order to bring it to a vote before the Quebec National Assembly adjourned for two weeks. The government has tabled a budget, which takes precedence over other bills. It is believed that the government will call an election when the Assembly returns, which means that the euthanasia bill will not pass. It could be resurrected by a government formed after the election. [CBC News]
Missouri protection of conscience bill passes House of Representatives
House Bill 1430 has passed the Missouri House of Representatives by a vote of 112-38. The bill largely replicates one that passed the House in 2013 but failed to pass the state Senate. It is a procedure-specific bill that provides protection of conscience for individuals and institutions. [LifeNews]