HCS HB 570 -- ABORTIONS

SPONSOR:  Davis (Harris)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Children and Families by a vote of 6 to 4.

This substitute changes the requirements for reporting abortions.
The report the attending physician completes after performing or
inducing an abortion must contain:

(1)  Information required by the United States Standard Report of
Induced Termination of Pregnancy that contains instructions for
persons with the responsibilities of completing and filing
reports on induced abortions;

(2)  Information regarding the type of abortion procedure used
and any drugs that were taken; and

(3)  The reason the pregnant woman sought the abortion and any
method of family planning the pregnant woman was using when she
became pregnant if the information was provided by the woman.

The Department of Health and Senior Services must add
non-identifying statistical data to its annual report regarding
post-abortion care and the weekly gestational age of the unborn
child when the abortion was performed.  A person who knowingly
violates the confidentiality of any reports, records, or
documents maintained by the hospital or abortion facility or
received by the department involving an abortion will be guilty
of a class D felony.

The substitute also creates the presumption that a person younger
than 14 years of age who is seeking an abortion is a victim of
statutory rape in the first degree.  Any abortion provider who
determines the person seeking abortion services is younger than
14 years of age or is between the ages of 14 and 18 and there are
indications that she is a victim of a sexual offense must retain
a tissue sample for DNA testing and comply with the state
reporting procedures for the possible crime.  Anyone violating
these provisions will be guilty of a class A misdemeanor for a
first violation and a class D felony for a subsequent violation.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Unknown
in FY 2010, FY 2011, and FY 2012.  No impact on Other State Funds
in FY 2010, FY 2011, and FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill requires additional
reporting standards for abortions and codifies current practices
that are being done by the Department of Health and Senior
Services.  The specific data that the additional reporting
standards would provide will help identify the areas in which
abortion laws can be improved or changed to help and protect the
safety of the woman.  The bill is important so that we can
substantiate or disprove claims regarding abortion issues.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Harris; Campaign Life
Missouri; Missouri Roundtable for Life; Concerned Women for
America of Missouri; Missouri Family Network; Missouri Right to
Life; and Missouri Catholic Conference.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that all abortions are
currently reported by abortion providers in the state.  Most of
the requirements in the bill are already being done, so there is
not a need to codify the provisions in statute.  The number one
reason a woman seeks an abortion is already proven to be due to
the woman's economic status.  The legislature needs to address
the issues of support after a baby is born instead of focusing on
abortion.

Testifying against the bill was Planned Parenthood Affiliates in
Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am