Missouri Legislature Passes Bill to Take care of Infants Who Survive Abortions
The Missouri House passed a bill requiring medical professionals to provide immediate care to babies born alive during or after an attempted abortion. The vote now sends the measure to Gov. Kehoe for signature.
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act (SB 999) declares that any infant born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion “shall have the same rights, privileges and immunities as any other person, citizen and resident in Missouri.”
The legislation mandates “immediate, professional care” for the child “to preserve its life, health and comfort” and makes it first-degree murder for anyone who knowingly performs or attempts an overt act that kills such a born-alive infant.
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House sponsor Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, described the protections as common sense and the top priority for House Republicans.
“They’re deserving of health care. It’s just common sense,” Seitz said. “This legislation protects infants and it protects women.”
The bill, which originated in the Senate sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, advanced after multiple amendments that included bipartisan provisions such as forming a committee to study maternal mortality.
Susan Klein, Executive Director, Missouri Right to Life, celebrated the victory:
Today, the Missouri House of Representatives passed SB 999, which includes the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.” The Missouri Senate passed the bill last week and sent it to the House. The bill ensures that children born-alive after an abortion have all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to any other person and requires medical professionals to provide health care to abortion survivors. This legislation is essential for saving the lives of vulnerable children.
Opponents of this bill claim that these babies are already protected, but this is not true. A baby born-alive from an attempted abortion is different than a normal delivery. When a woman signs a consent form for the abortion, she is not expecting a live birth. In addition, the abortionist was engaged to produce a dead baby. Missouri does not have an explicit protection for these precious babies born-alive after an attempted abortion and fighting for life.
Missouri Right to Life expresses its deepest gratitude to bill sponsors Senator Brad Hudson, Representatives Brian Seitz and Holly Jones and all members of the Missouri General Assembly who voted favor of this bill advancing this critical legislation to Governor Kehoe.
Democrats opposed the measure with lies and half-truths.
Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, called it “another abortion ban being pushed by Missouri Republicans who are already trying to overturn abortion access that was voted on by Missourians in 2024.”
The bill doesn’t ban any abortions.
