Bill > HB2338

This bill establishes legal provisions for child support obligations for unborn children in Missouri, defining an "unborn child" as a human offspring from the moment of conception until birth. The bill allows a putative father (an alleged or presumed father) or a biological father with established paternity to be required to pay child support for an unborn child if the mother petitions the court within two years of the child's birth. Child support obligations would begin six weeks from conception, as determined by a physician, and can be retroactively collected. The payment amount will be determined by a court in consultation with the mother, considering the best interests of the mother and child. If paternity is disputed, no support is owed until paternity is established, and if another man is later proven to be the biological father, the initial putative father can seek reimbursement for child support payments made. This legislation expands child support responsibilities to include prenatal expenses and support during pregnancy, providing a potential legal mechanism for financial assistance to expectant mothers.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2338&year=2026&code=R