Born Alive Infants Protection Act Heads to Senate
Reis Chief Co-Sponsor

April 12, 2005

Springfield…. The Born Alive Infant Protection Act has passed through the Illinois House by a vote of 116-0 and now heads to the Senate for their consideration. According to Chief Co-sponsor, State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie), unlike two previous attempts to move the bill, this time around the measure had 57 bi-partisan co-sponsors and was finally brought to the floor for debate.

Reis said, “The bill mirrors what passed on the federal level. Under this law, any time a child is born, for any reason, it will be considered and have the full rights of a live human being.” Passage of the HB984 means babies “born alive” as a result of a botched abortion would be entitled to appropriate medical care designed to protect and/or save their lives.

The bills language defines “born alive” to mean the complete expulsion or extraction from the mother of an infant whether a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section or induced abortion. “This isn’t a pro-life issue or a pro-choice issue.” said Reis. “This is a human rights issue, a human dignity piece of legislation.”

The federal bill passed the United State Senate in 2002 by an overwhelming 98-0 margin and was signed into law by President George W. Bush. “The measure approved in Washington provided guidance, but no punishable abilities to the states,” added Reis. “Our bill gives the state the teeth, the ability it needs, to prosecute the people who don’t conform to the law. We are extremely excited about bringing some common sense to this very important issue”