Lawmakers have responded to criticism over a bill some said would make children born through artificial insemination illegitimate.
House Bill 1406/Senate Bill 1153 was filed by Republican Representative Terri Lynn Weaver and Senator Joey Hensley on Thursday.
The bill summary states: “it repeals a statute that deems a child born to a married woman as a result of artificial insemination, with consent of the married woman's husband, to be the legitimate child of the husband and wife.”
Critics immediately concluded the bill targeted same sex couples, but both sponsors of the bill said that is not the case.
Sen. Hensley said the bill takes a section of code out of the law that was determined to be unconstitutional by the Attorney General. It does not target couples struggling with fertility or same sex couples.
“It’s gotten blown out of proportion,” said Sen. Hensley. “It never did anything to prevent artificial insemination or to make any child illegitimate.”
Rep. Weaver turned to her Facebook page to clarify confusion. She said in a post, "conflicting laws have to be repealed," and "children who are artificially inseminated are not illegitimate."
The bill was one of many that brought protesters out to the Capitol Monday. Critics said they are still skeptical of the motives.
“Would you say it had something to do with same sex couples if you had an agenda,” questioned Dana Delworth, one of the protesters. “No.”
The bill was filed Thursday. It will move through committees in the coming weeks.
