JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri House has passed a controversial "personhood" measure opponents say could ban abortion, including in cases of rape and incest.
House members voted 110-37 Thursday to send the legislation to the Senate. It still needs committee approval and a final vote in the Senate to pass.
If approved by lawmakers, voters would then decide whether to add "unborn human children at every stage of biological development" to a state constitutional provision that protects the "right to life."
Republican backers say it's needed to protect the unborn. Democratic opponents say it could ban abortion, including in cases of rape, incest and when the mother's life is at risk. Opponents also say it could ban contraception, which some Republicans disputed.
The deadline to pass legislation is May 13.