HCS HB 1055 -- SEXUAL EDUCATION AND ABORTIONS (Sander)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN:  Special Committee on Family Services

This substitute changes the laws regarding sexual education
instruction in public schools and abortions.  In its main
provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Revises the requirements for the presentation of information
in public schools relating to contraception and sexually
transmitted diseases by adding the option of presenting students
with information on contraceptives and pregnancy in a manner
consistent with federal abstinence laws.  Currently, students
must be presented with the latest medically factual information
regarding sexually transmitted diseases and the side effects,
health benefits, and failure rates for methods of preventing
pregnancy;

(2)  Prohibits school districts and charter schools from
providing abortion services or allowing a person or entity who
provides abortion services from offering, sponsoring, or
furnishing course materials related to human sexuality and
sexually transmitted diseases;

(3)  Defines "medical emergency" as a condition which, on the
basis of a physician's good-faith clinical judgment, so
complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to
necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to prevent
the death of the pregnant woman or for which delay will create a
serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a
major bodily function of the pregnant woman;

(4)  Changes certain penalties relating to abortion by including
penalties for those persons who knowingly induce or aid in the
inducing of an abortion.  Currently, there are penalties for any
person who knowingly performs or aids in the performance of a
abortion;

(5)  Provides for an affirmative medical emergency defense for
violations of any abortion provision;

(6)  Establishes the Missouri Alternatives to Abortion Services
Program to provide services or counseling to pregnant women and
assistance to mothers in caring for their children or placing
them up for adoption.  Counseling and services are available to a
woman during her pregnancy and for one year after the birth of
her child.  The substitute also establishes the Missouri
Alternatives to Abortion Public Awareness Program which requires
the department or departments administering the program to
develop an advertising campaign publicizing alternatives to
abortion and to prioritize federal, public, and private moneys so
that they are used first to fund these programs.  The department
or departments administering the programs may contract with
public or private agencies to provide services or counseling.
These programs and their funds will not be used to perform,
induce, or assist in abortions; and

(7)  Changes the definition of "ambulatory surgical center" in
Section 197.200, RSMo, to include any establishment operated for
the purpose of performing or inducing any second or third
trimester abortion or which performs at least five or more first
trimester abortions per month.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Less than
$130,306 in FY 2008, Less than $136,797 in FY 2009, and Less than
$137,901 in FY 2010.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY 2008,
FY 2009, and FY 2010.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am