Bill > HB1581

This bill makes several changes to Missouri judicial proceedings and abortion-related legal interventions. First, it introduces definitions for key terms like "abortion" (defined as intentionally terminating a pregnancy) and "unborn child" (defined as human offspring from conception to birth). The bill grants pro-life individuals and organizations the right to intervene in legal actions involving abortion regulations or unborn child rights, with the first intervening party able to represent the unborn child's interests and file necessary legal pleadings. Additionally, the bill modifies the geographical jurisdiction of the Southern District of the Court of Appeals by adding Cole and Miller counties to its territory. It also changes the number of judges in two Court of Appeals districts: reducing the Western District from eleven to seven judges, and increasing the Southern District from seven to ten judges. These changes aim to adjust judicial resources and provide additional legal pathways for pro-life advocacy in abortion-related legal proceedings.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1581&year=2025&code=R