Missouri legislators pass controversial 'Born Alive' anti-abortion bill

The Missouri House approved the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act on Wednesday, voting 102-46 to advance the Senate bill to Governor Mike Parson. The legislation grants legal personhood to fetuses born alive during or after an abortion attempt, with violations punishable by first-degree murder charges. Supporters, including Republican Rep. Holly Jones, argue the bill clarifies legal consequences, while opponents like Democratic Rep. Pattie Mansur warn it creates a hostile environment for medical providers and risks driving physicians from the state. The bill underwent revisions, including the removal of civil liability provisions for abortion-related actions. Senate Democrats added requirements for the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board to include members from each congressional district and ensure demographic diversity. Additional changes expanded stalking laws to include cyberharassment. Democratic lawmakers criticized the measure, with Rep. Ken Jamison citing concerns that abortion restrictions could worsen maternal care access in rural areas. Some Republicans, like Rep. Bryant Wolfin, opposed the bill due to its broad scope, questioning its legal viability and relevance to the original subject. Protests erupted in the gallery during the vote, with demonstrators chanting before being escorted out. The legislation’s passage coincides with Missouri’s upcoming Amendment 3 ballot, which would again ban most abortions in the state, though this version allows exceptions not specified in the article. The bill now awaits Governor Parson’s decision, with its fate tied to ongoing debates over abortion rights and healthcare regulation in Missouri.