Bill > SB591

This bill modifies Missouri's existing law regarding the legal status of unborn children by definitively stating that life begins at conception and that unborn children are entitled to the same rights, protections, and legal considerations as any other human person. The bill expands existing language to explicitly grant unborn children "all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of this state," while being subject to the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court interpretations. The legislation defines "unborn children" as human offspring from the moment of conception until birth, covering every stage of biological development. Importantly, the bill includes a provision that prevents women from being legally pursued for actions that might indirectly harm an unborn child, such as not following specific prenatal care guidelines or failing to take optimal care of themselves during pregnancy. This bill appears to be part of a broader legal effort to establish comprehensive legal protections for unborn children from the moment of conception, potentially setting the groundwork for future legal debates around fetal rights.

Health and Social Services

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=2724193