SCS/SB 871 - This act modifies the "Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board" within the Department of Health and Senior Services. Under this act, board membership shall include at least one member from each congressional district and membership shall be demographically diverse, including by race, ethnicity, sex, age, and rural and urban populations. Board members are increased from no more than 18 members to no more than 22 members.

Additionally, the board shall, in its study and review of maternal deaths, consider the level and timing of prenatal and postnatal care, the presence or absence of maternity care deserts, approaches taken in this state and other states to reduce or eliminate racial inequities in maternal deaths, and the adequacy of data collected by the board. Data reported by the board shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, language, nationality, age, zip code, and level and timing of prenatal and postnatal care.

This act is substantially similar to SB 39 (2025), SCS/SBs 1357 & 888 (2024), and SCS/SBs 579 & 595 (2023).

SARAH HASKINS

Statutes affected:
Introduced (4285S.01): 192.990
Committee (4285S.02): 192.990

---

Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 871
Sponsor: Washington
Hearing Date: 1/13/2026


COMMITTEE: Progress and Development

CHAIRMAN: Williams

DATE REFERRED: 1/8/2026 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:



STAFF:
Rob Arbuthnot
Christine Brauner
Hannah Embry
Jim Ertle


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Kimberly Costello - Doula Foundation of Mid-Missouri
Sharon Geuea Jones - MO NAACP
Kelvin Simmons - Health Forward Foundation of Kansas City
Chris Roepe - Nurture KC
Henrio Thelemayne - MO Bootheel Regional Consortium


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Arnie C. Dienoff