HCS HB 1055 -- SEXUAL EDUCATION AND ABORTIONS

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

(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 success and failure rates for 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)  Expands the crime of knowingly performing or aiding in the
performance of an abortion by adding inducing or aiding in the
inducing of an abortion, a class A misdemeanor, unless a
different penalty is provided for in state law;

(5)  Provides for an affirmative medical emergency defense for a
violation 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 bill 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.  Public and private agencies providing alternatives to
abortion program counseling services are prohibited from
providing an abortion referral; and

(7)  Revises 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.

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