TUPELO, Miss.—The Mississippi-based American Family Association (AFA, www.afa.net) is urging those committed to standing for the unborn to thank Mississippi leadership and lawmakers for passing the Gestational Age Act banning abortions after 15 weeks.

With the support of Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) and Speaker Philip Gunn (R-Hinds, Madison), members of the Mississippi House of Representatives and Senate recently passed the bill that will ban abortions after 15 weeks. Gov. Phil Bryant (R-Miss.) is expected to sign the bill into law. Current Mississippi law bans abortions after 20 weeks, and the 15-week ban would make Mississippi the most protective state for both the unborn and the baby’s mother.

Now, AFA is spearheading a thank-you petition for the lawmakers so citizens can show their support for the protection and defense of life.

“The American Family Association applauds the Mississippi legislature for passing HB 1510, which would ban the murder of unborn children after 15 weeks gestation,” said AFA President Tim Wildmon.“We are proud to see Mississippi working to become the safest state in America for unborn children. We look forward to Governor Bryant signing this bill into law.”

Rep. Becky Currie (R-Copiah, Lawrence, Lincoln) is the bill’s principal author who also had the support of several co-authors, including Rep. Andy Gipson (R-Rankin, Simpson).

The bill, which originated in the state House of Representatives (79-31 vote) before advancing to the Senate (35-14), notes:

“An unborn human being begins to move about in the womb at approximately eight (8) weeks’ gestation.”
“At nine (9) weeks’ gestation, all basic physiological functions are present. Teeth and eyes are present, as well as external genitalia.”
“An unborn human being’s vital organs begin to function at ten (10) weeks’ gestation. Hair, fingernails and toenails also begin to form.”
“At eleven (11) weeks’ gestation, an unborn human being’s diaphragm is developing, and he or she may even hiccup. He or she is beginning to move about freely in the womb.”
“At twelve (12) weeks’ gestation, an unborn human being can open and close his or her fingers, starts to make sucking motions, and senses stimulation from the world outside the womb.”

View the media page for AFA here. For more information on American Family Association, visit www.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or on Twitter @AmericanFamAssc.

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To interview a representative from the American Family Association, contact Deborah Hamilton, [email protected], 610.584.1096, ext. 102, or Emily Brunner, ext. 100.