Personhood Amendment Passes Montana Senate

'Person means a human being at all stages of human development of life, including the state of fertilization or conception, regardless of age, health, level of functioning, or condition of dependency.'

WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeSiteNews.com) - Montana's Senate passed a constitutional personhood amendment (SB 406) which would recognize all human beings, including the unborn, as persons, in a 26-24 vote last week. The amendment, introduced by Senator Dan McGee, passed on its third reading on the Senate floor Thursday morning. SB406 is the first Personhood Amendment in U.S. history to pass a State Senate.

"Senator Dan McGee ... has shown what it truly means to be pro-life," stated Keith Mason, of Personhood USA following the senate vote. "Senator McGee's successful efforts on behalf of all human beings at all stages of human life are a giant step forward in historic efforts to ensure the rights and protection of every individual."

SB 406 states, "All persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights," and clarifies that "person means a human being at all stages of human development of life, including the state of fertilization or conception, regardless of age, health, level of functioning, or condition of dependency."

SB 406 must continue on to pass the Montana House of Representatives with a majority vote of 74.

Less than two weeks ago, North Dakota's House of Representatives passed a similar personhood amendment in a 51-41 vote, with the senate expected to vote in the next several weeks.

According to PersonhoodUSA, seven states have launched personhood legislation so far in 2009, with more expected to do so.

American Life League (ALL) president Judie Brown responded to the news that the Montana senate had passed the amendment, saying, "This is a historic moment for the personhood movement. At long last, the pro-life community is recognizing that until we establish civil rights and personhood for all human beings, we cannot have justice in this country.

She also said that the pro-life movement in the States would work, not only for state personhood amendments, but also a Federal Personhood Amendment. "We will not rest until the rights of every human being from creation until natural death are guaranteed and protected under the law," she said.

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