HCS#2 HB 586 -- PUBLIC FUNDS

SPONSOR:  Phillips (Sander)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children
and Families by a vote of 7 to 1.

This substitute prohibits the expenditure of public funds to
existing or proposed health and social services programs that
directly or indirectly subsidize abortion services.  An entity
that is affiliated with another entity that provides abortion
services may only receive public funds if the affiliated entity
is an independent affiliate.  Entities that provide counseling to
pregnant women and receive public funds may only provide
non-directive pregnancy counseling and may not display or
distribute material promoting abortion services.

Entities that receive public funds are required to maintain
records that demonstrate strict compliance with this section.  An
independent audit of these entities must be conducted at least
once every three years.  If the recipient of public funds is
affiliated with an entity that provides abortion services, an
audit must be conducted each year to ensure compliance.  The
substitute includes exceptions for reimbursement to entities that
provide services that are required under federal Medicaid
regulations and certain services required under the federal
Public Health Services Act.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill establishes public
policy to ensure that state funds do not in any way subsidize
abortions.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Sander; Missouri
Right to Life; Campaign Life Missouri; Missouri Family Network;
Missouri Baptist Convention-Christian Life Commission; and
Missouri Catholic Conference.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that instead of trying
to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving public funds for
non-abortion related services, the House of Representatives
should be doing everything in its power to ensure that women in
Missouri have access to family planning services.

Testifying against the bill was Planned Parenthood of the St.
Louis Region.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm