BISMARCK, N.D. (CNS) – The North Dakota Legislature voted to put a referendum on the 2014 ballot that would amend the state constitution to say that “the inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected.”

“It doesn’t ban abortion. It doesn’t ban anything,” said Christopher Dodson, executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops.

“It does provide an expression of legislative intent that would make it clear, hopefully, that there is not a right to an abortion in the state constitution and give courts guidance for interpreting state laws regarding life,” he said.