Legislators look at abortion and privacy on Monday.

Legislators look at abortion and privacy on Monday
Legislators look at abortion and privacy on Monday(Valeria Fugate)
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 6:51 PM CST
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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - On Monday, the House Judiciary Committee took public comment on The Life is a Human Right Act.

This bill prohibits abortion and would create new statutes, specifies criminal and regulatory penalties, removes obsolete provisions, and codifies the fetus’s legal rights from conception.

Exceptions include spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy and would come into effect July 1, 2023.

Pro-life advocate, Mike Leman of the Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne, asked the committee to “Do what is in the best interest of the child.”

Pro-choice advocate Dr. Rene Hinkel said trying to criminalize physicians means doctors will be afraid to treat patients and that “Doctors are already transferring patients to Colorado with pregnancy complications out of fear.”

Senate Judiciary Committee looked at the Right of Individual Privacy bill, which would amend the Wyoming Constitution, Article 1, adding a new section stating that privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed.

This would protect individuals’ digital information and prevent government and corporate overreach.

Critics say this could allow for criminal behavior.

Lawmakers stated that Wyoming has a glaring lack of individual protection, and privacy is always a tradeoff between ease of government and personal liberty.

Further stating to prevent an Orwellian level of governmental control...

“It’s the states responsibility is to protect our liberty and individual freedom. Not to control or deny it,” said Sen. Chris Rothfuss, S.D. 09.

The Right to Privacy bill passed and moved to the General File, and the Human Life bill will hear more from lawmakers in committee on Wednesday.