
On Wednesday, the Senate Health and Pensions Committee approved HB 126, sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon), also known as the "Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act." HB 126 would ban all abortions in Missouri, except in the case of a medical emergency, at eight weeks. If that ban is found to be unconstitutional, the ban moves to 14 weeks. If the 14-week ban is found unconstitutional, it moves to 18 weeks. Finally, if the 18-week ban is found unconstitutional, it moves to 21 weeks, the time at which an unborn child can feel pain. HB 126 also includes a "trigger law" that would ban all abortions in the state at such time that the U.S. Supreme Court overrules Roe v. Wade. The MCC testified in support of HB 126. The bill now heads to the full Senate for debate.