SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1657

92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

 

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES JONES (Sponsor), YOUNG, BROOKS, FRASER, THOMPSON, HAYWOOD, HILGEMANN, WALKER, BOYKINS, CURLS, JOHNSON (61), WILSON (42), WALTON, BISHOP,WILDBERGER, HOSKINS, DONNELLY, LOWE, EL-AMIN, ZWEIFEL, RIBACK WILSON (25),

 BLAND, HARRIS (23), LeVOTA AND PAGE (Co-sponsors).

         Read 1st time March 10, 2004, and copies ordered printed.

STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk

4607L.01I

 

AN ACT

To amend chapter 191, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to emergency contraception.




Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:


            Section A. Chapter 191, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 191.715, to read as follows:

            191.715. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Woman's Right to Know Act".

            2. For purposes of this section, "emergency contraception" means any drug or device approved by the Food and Drug Administration that prevents pregnancy after intercourse.

            3. The division of maternal, child, and family health within the department of health and senior services shall endeavor to raise public awareness by informing hospitals, health care providers, pharmacists, and the community of the existence and availability of emergency contraception. The division shall also endeavor to promote appropriate counseling and referrals for all contraceptive drugs and devices, including emergency contraception, that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The division shall develop and distribute information which describes the contraceptive drugs and devices that are available and stresses the availability of emergency contraception, its use and safety, and its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy if taken as soon as possible after intercourse. The information shall stress that emergency contraception is a method of pregnancy prevention that cannot harm or terminate an established pregnancy. The information shall also inform women that pursuant to section 376.1199, RSMo, health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs must also cover contraceptive drugs and devices.