State House passes 'personhood' measure

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House has passed a controversial "personhood" measure opponents said 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 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 said it's needed to protect the unborn. Democratic opponents said it could ban abortion, including in cases of rape, incest and when the mother's life is at risk.

Opponents also said it could ban contraception, which some Republicans disputed.