SB 230 & HB 382
Expanding Misinformed Consent Across State Lines
SB 230 - Sen. Riddle (R-10, Fulton)
HB 382 - Rep. Anderson (R-131, Springfield)
These bills force Missouri’s medically inaccurate “informed consent” materials onto women who inquire about out-of-state abortion.
We all want women to have medically accurate information and the support they need to make a carefully considered decision about pregnancy. Information should support a woman, help her make a decision for herself, and enable her to take care of her health and well-being.
These bills extend Missouri’s medically inaccurate, government-scripted “informed consent” materials to other states. Senate Bill 230 and House Bill 382 create new requirements for abortion and family planning providers. When an abortion or family planning provider gives a woman information about an out-of-state abortion provider, the organization is required to give her the same government-scripted, medically inaccurate “informed consent” materials as if she had decided to have the abortion in Missouri. These medically inaccurate materials are designed to shame a woman who is considering abortion into changing her mind. This measure requires providers to present the materials in person if the woman is physically present at the center, office, community outreach event, etc. If the inquiry is over the phone, the provider must offer to send the materials via overnight mail.
These bills are an attempt to shame Missouri women - pure and simple.
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Forcing doctors to provide medically inaccurate information for political reasons is a violation of medical ethics and dangerously dismissive of a patient’s right to truthful information from her doctor.
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Missouri’s largest cities span state lines, and it is common for Missourians to get care in other states. This is an attempt by politicians to impose their personal beliefs on all women, both in and out of Missouri.
Senate Bill 230 and House Bill 382 put patient privacy and confidentiality at risk.
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The organization sending the materials are required to include their name and address for overnight delivery. This risks violating a woman’s privacy and the confidentiality of her medical treatment. Women who are in abusive relationships could be in great danger if their abuser—whether partner or parent—sees the return address or reads the materials.
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These bills create medically unnecessary bureaucracy for organizations responding to inquiries about abortion. For example, health care providers would be required to create and maintain records of inquiries from individuals who are not their patients.
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Senate Bill 230 and House Bill 382 do not define compliance, nor do they specify how providers would demonstrate compliance. Yet the penalty for failure to comply is a Class A misdemeanor.
Planned Parenthood works every day to make sure women receive the high-quality health care they need, in a safe and respectful environment. That includes abortion.
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Planned Parenthood has been an important part of Missouri’s health care network for over 80 years—and we will be here for the Missourians who rely on us another 80 years.
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One in five women in America has turned to one of Planned Parenthood’s nonprofit health centers for professional, nonjudgmental, and confidential care at some point in her life.