Bill > SB619

This bill proposes comprehensive changes to Missouri law regarding the legal status and protection of unborn children, effectively seeking to abolish abortion in the state. The bill, known as the "Equal Protection Act," aims to extend legal protections to unborn children from the moment of fertilization, treating them with the same legal rights as born persons. It modifies several existing statutes to include unborn children in definitions of "person" and creates new provisions for prosecuting offenses against unborn children. The bill establishes that unborn children should be protected by criminal and civil laws from the point of fertilization, and it provides specific provisions for medical procedures that might accidentally or unintentionally result in the death of an unborn child while trying to save the mother's life. Importantly, the bill includes language acknowledging the sanctity of human life and explicitly states its intent to abolish abortion in Missouri. The proposed changes would impact how offenses are prosecuted, with new options for venue selection in cases involving unborn children. The bill is set to be submitted to Missouri voters for approval in an August 2025 election and would only apply to offenses committed or causes of action arising after its effective date.

Health and Social Services

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=2899287