JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A proposed bill by a state representative pushes to make a list of expecting mothers in the state in an aim to “reduce the number of preventable abortions,” according to the bill.
House Bill 807, nicknamed the “Save MO Babies Act,” was proposed by Rep. Phil Amato, R-Arnold.
The bill summary states that if passed, the state would create a registry of every expectant mother in the state “who is at risk for seeking an abortion” through the Department of Social Services, the Division of Maternal and Child Services. It would go into effect July 1, 2026.
This registry would also incorporate hopeful adoptive parents who have completed certain screenings—including background checks, home studies, and other investigations, according to the bill.
Additionally, the bill would enforce the state to “promote the safe and healthy birth of children in the state through the utilization of existing resources; coordinate community resources and provide assistance or services to expecting mothers identified to be at risk for seeking abortion services; and prevent abortions through the adoption of children by fit and proper adoptive parents.”
It was not specified in the bill how expectant mothers “at risk” for seeking abortion would be identified.
A response, evaluation, and legal team comprised of ten members would be appointed between the director of the department, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, and the Missouri Supreme Court.
According to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, there were just over 3,000 abortions throughout the state in 2022, which is a 62% decrease from 1999, which had over 8,000.
The St. Louis region had 53 in 2022.
HB807 was referred to the Children and Families Committee Feb. 13. Its next hearing is 8 a.m. Wednesday.