The Missouri House on Thursday passed its first bill of the year, approving legislation requiring medical care for any infant born alive after a failed abortion attempt.
The Republican-backed Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act now heads to the Senate. Supporters, including Branson Republican Rep. Brian Seitz, said the measure protects newborns and promotes what he called a culture of life. Seitz said the issue is about providing care to babies born alive, not politics.
Democratic lawmakers argued the bill is unnecessary and could expose abortion providers to additional legal risks. Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, called it political messaging that focuses on divisive issues.
Seitz previously sponsored a resolution aimed at reversing Amendment 3, the 2024 voter-approved measure that legalized abortion in Missouri. A separate proposed constitutional amendment which would repeal Amendment 3 and allow limited exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies before 12 weeks of pregnancy is slated for the November 2026 ballot, though legal challenges could still alter the language. Amendment 3 passed with 52% of the vote.
For more information on the recent legislation visit original reporting by KY3 News.
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