SB 356 - This act establishes the "Abolition of Abortion in Missouri Act." This act ensures that it is the intent of the Missouri General Assembly to acknowledge the sanctity of innocent human life and the unborn child at every stage of development has all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of this state pursuant to the Missouri Constitution.
This act also provides that any person accused of committing any criminal offense against a person under the laws of this state where the victim is an unborn child shall be prosecuted in a venue as provided in the act.
The affirmative defense of duress for the offense of murder shall be available where the victim is an unborn child and the defendant is the child's mother. This act also provides it shall be a justifiable defense if a medical procedure is performed by a licensed physician on a pregnant female to avert the death of the female which the results in the accidental or unintentional death of the unborn child and all reasonable alternatives to save the life of the unborn child were unavailable or were unsuccessful.
Finally, this act adds the definition of person in the criminal code to include a human being, including an unborn child at every stage of development from the moment of fertilization until birth.
MARY GRACE PRINGLE
Statutes affected: Introduced (1092S.02):
1.207,
541.033,
562.071,
563.026,
565.002
Senate Committee Minutes: SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 356
Sponsor: Moon
Hearing Date: 5/3/2023
COMMITTEE: Health and Welfare
CHAIRMAN: Coleman
DATE REFERRED: 2/23/2023 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:
STAFF:
Sarah Haskins
Heidi Kolkmeyer
Karen Roach
Seth York
WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:
Susan Klein - Missouri Right to Life
COMMITTEE: Health and Welfare
CHAIRMAN: Coleman
DATE REFERRED: 2/23/2023 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:
WITNESSES FOR:
Brian Davis - Pastor of Whitewater Christian Church in Perryville Missouri
Abigail Davis
Belen Hamacher
Melissa Throgmorton
Sarah Fielder
Manuela Gohn
Dan Sexson
Christopher Miller
Thomas Palmer
Susan Verharst
Stetson Stevens
Addie Ford
Abby Leatherman - End Abortion Now
Lisa Leatherman - End Abortion Now
Jesse & Marina Johnson
Gary McNamee - Abolish Abortion Mizzouri
Joshua Jenkins
Clayton Hall - Abolish Abortion Kentucky
Paul Bebout - Abolish Abortion, SI Life Alliance
Matthew Weisser
Kanoa Benz
Charles Stover - Redeeming Grace Fellowship-Presbyterian Church of America
William Baker
Kassidy Baker
Paul Hamacher
Luke McAllister
Adrian Cookson - Rockport Baptist Church of Arnold, MO
Mark Renaud - Perry County Central Committeman Cinque Holme Township
Monica Morgan
Rod Morgan
Mindy Falmer
Mark Wagner
Alex Brown
Rhea Brown
Scott Flaugher - Abolish Abortion Missouri
Isaiah Falmer
Marc Falmer
Colton Cowan
Preston Watts - Abolish Abortion Missouri
Oliver Ross
John Hardwick
Timothy Cole - Abortion is Murder KS
Cody Fairchild
Mario Olivia
Samantha Hall - Abolish Abortion AK
Christopher Hall - Abolish Abortion AK
Judah Marx
Sam Riley - Free the States
Skye McGregor
Rachel Rosenou
Chadwick Ewlentrop - Abolish Abortion Missouri
Laurel Stephens
Ruby Stephens
COMMITTEE: Health and Welfare
CHAIRMAN: Coleman
DATE REFERRED: 2/23/2023 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:
Brian Binkley
Dr. Wesley Scroggins - Abolish Abortion Missouri
James Silberman - Free the States
Kevan Myers - Abolish Abortion MO, Abortion is Murder KS, Abolish Abortion KS
Ethan Scroggins - Abolish Abortion Missouri
Luis Singh
Bradley Pierce - Foundation to Abolish Abortion
Timothy Faber - Missouri Baptist Convention
Reverend Jeff Durbin - End Abortion Now
Arnie C. AC "Honest Abe" Dienoff - State Public Advocate
Jeremy Jacobs - Bound 4 LIFE-St. Louis
Lillian Stephens
WITNESSES AGAINST:
Samuel Lee - Campaign Life Missouri
Sarah Schlemeier Henke - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Missouri Chapter
Amelia L
Samantha Hawickhorst - Pro Choice Missouri
Heather Donahue
Maggie Edmondson
Mallory Schwarz - Pro Choice Missouri
Vanessa Wellbery - Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region & SW MO