Legislation providing a legal defense for use of prayer instead of medical treatment gets a hearing at the Capitol today. The bill’s author, Milwaukee Democrat, state Senator Lena Taylor, says the bill creates a general affirmative defense for a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 18 who “reasonably” uses spiritual treatment instead of medical treatment.
AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:55 MP3)
Taylor drafted the legislation (SB 384) in response to the prosecution and conviction of Dale and Leilani Neumann, who prayed over their diabetic daughter. Eleven year-old Kara Neumann died.