By Pam Fichter, President, Missouri Right to Life
Missouri State Rep. Kevin Elmer
On the heels of Missouri Right to Life’s “Show Me Life” Pro-life Action Day, the House gave final approval yesterday to HB 1307 and HB 1192. These bills will save babies and protect all women, both adults and minors, from abortion clinics seeking to make a profit on an abortion.
HB 1307 sponsored by Reps. Kevin Elmer and Keith Frederick extends the current 24-hour reflection period before a woman has an abortion to 72 hours. This extra time allows a woman to reflect on all her options and risks before deciding to abort her child.
Missouri State Rep Keith Frederick
An amendment was added to the bill on the floor of the House by Rep. Linda Black stating that a woman must watch a video summarizing the alternatives to abortion material given to her as required by state statute. Among those alternatives is seeking help from pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes which serve women in crisis pregnancies by providing help to a woman during her pregnancy and for her child after birth.
HB 1192, sponsored by Rep. Rocky Miller requires both guardians or custodial parents of a minor be notified before an abortion is performed. Currently, state law requires consent of one custodial parent or guardian.
Missouri State Rep. Rocky Miller
When a minor child seeks an abortion, both custodial parents have a right to be informed. Abortion has multiple risks and consequences including physical, psychological and emotional. Minor children need the care and concern of both parents in making this decision.
The bill includes protections against parents who have been convicted of sexual abuse of that minor or whose parental rights have been terminated. An amendment was added to the bill on the floor of the House by Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger protecting the first amendment rights of pregnancy resource centers.
Both bills passed the House with bi-partisan support. HB 1307 passed by a vote of 115 to 39. HB 1192 passed by a vote of 116 to 36. Missouri Right to Life thanks all the House members, both Republicans and Democrats, for their support of this life-saving legislation.