UPDATE:
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A bill that would define life as starting at conception is dead for this year in Virginia.
The Senate voted 24-14 Thursday to send the so-called "personhood" bill back to committee and carry it over to 2013.
Senate Republican Leader Tommy Norment of James City County made the motion to shelve the bill, saying more study is needed.
The vote came hours after the Senate Education and Health Committee endorsed the measure on an 8-7 party-line vote, with Democrats voting against it. At least three times, the committee chairman, Sen. Steve Martin, threatened to have police remove opponents of the bill after they spoke out during debate.
The committee earlier approved a bill requiring pre-abortion external ultrasound exams. It was amended to eliminate ultrasounds requiring an invasive ultrasound probe.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A bill that would define life as starting at conception has been approved in a key Senate committee.
Eight Republicans voted for the measure, and the committee's seven Democrats opposed it after an hour-long hearing on the bill that is similar to one in Missouri.
The bill passed after an amendment clarifying that no provision in it would restrict the use of federally approved contraception.
At least three times, the committee chairman, Sen. Steve Martin, threatened to have police remove opponents of the bill after they spoke out during debate.
The vote now sends the bill to the full Senate where Democrats and Republicans hold 20 seats apiece.
The committee earlier approved a bill requiring pre-abortion external ultrasound exams. It was amended to eliminate ultrasounds requiring an invasive ultrasound probe.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
