Senator Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon) today played a major role in passing a bill that allows Missouri mothers to protect their unborn children from violence without fear of legal repercussions.
Senator Goodman handled House Bill 2081 in the Senate, a bill that permits any pregnant woman to use deadly force to protect her unborn child from attack.
The bill stems from the case of a pregnant woman in Michigan who was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to prison time after using deadly force to defend her unborn baby against her boyfriend who was repeatedly punching her in the abdomen. The case was eventually overturned, but HB 2081 is a proactive attempt to guarantee that mothers in Missouri may defend their babies from an attack.
“Fear of criminal prosecution should not prevent women from using full force to defend their unborn children,” Sen. Goodman said. “This important legislation ensures that Missouri mothers have an undeniable right under the law to protect themselves and their babies from violence.”
House Bill 2081 now awaits the governor’s signature before it will be enacted into law on August 28.
