MoLeg Update: The Wrong Direction
Last week, lawmakers heard twin bills (HB 127 & SB 106) that would endanger teens seeking an abortion by adding another hurdle to safely ending a pregnancy. Currently, Missouri law requires one parent to consent before a minor have an abortion. These bills would require the second parent be notified, too.
While most teens do talk to their parents about an unintended pregnancy, the government should not mandate it. We all want teens to be safe, but these bills do the opposite. For teens who face violence, abuse, and incest at home, notifying their second parent can put them in harm’s way and delay access to the care they need — which is why leading medical groups like the AMA and ACOG oppose laws like this. As our manager of policy and organizing said in his testimony against HB 127 and SB 106, “In the real world, we cannot legislate perfect families.”
This week, we expect more of the same. On Tuesday, a House committee will hear three separate bills that would ban abortion. House Bills 339 and 680 would ban abortion after 22 weeks. These bills substitute politicians' opinions for a physician's medical judgment and do nothing to improve the health of pregnant people.
House Bill 126 would ban abortion after six weeks — which is before many people even know they are pregnant. This measure, which bars abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, would ban abortion in nearly all circumstances in the state. Make no mistake: This bill is designed to spark a court challenge to Roe v. Wade, which prohibits abortion bans before viability. Like the 22-week bans, HB 126 is an unconstitutional measure that interferes in the doctor-patient relationship and can
If you’re tired of legislators obsessing about abortion while ignoring measures that would improve Missourians’ health, plan to join us for a lobby day: February 20, March 26, and May 8.
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Bill would require two-parent notification for abortion in Missouri
Tell Lawmakers: Hands off Clean Missouri!
In November, Missourians voted overwhelmingly for democracy reform by passing Amendment 1 with more than 60% of the vote. But lawmakers are already planning to overturn it. Amendment 1, know as Clean Missouri, cleans up our state government by limiting lobbyist gifts, opening legislative records to the public, and ensuring neither party has an unfair advantage when new district maps are drawn.
Amendment 1 protects minority representation and requires a nonpartisan expert to draw fair legislative maps.
Planned Parenthood Advocates supporters collected thousands of signatures to put Amendment 1 on the ballot. They called hundreds of Missouri voters who overwhelmingly supported it. The bottom line? Missouri voters have spoken — our lawmakers need to respect that. Take action and tell legislators to protect democracy reform!
PPSLRSWMO is Hiring!
Come work with us! The Public Policy Team at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri is hiring three regional Grassroots Organizers: one each in St. Louis, Southeast Missouri, and Southwest Illinois.
PP Generation Action’s Mizzou Chapter Pushes for Emergency Contraception on Campus
Young leaders in the Planned Parenthood Generation Action Chapter at Mizzou are campaigning to ensure all students on campus have access to emergency contraception, also known as Plan B. Chapter members have gotten more than 1,000 fellow students to add their names to a petition, and they are working to meet with campus leadership. Colleen Lee, the organization’s treasurer, spoke to The Maneater: “So far we have had lots of support from students and faculty. We have lots of written testimonies from students and staff about why emergency contraception is vital to students’ health and autonomy.”
Recap: Community Engagement Team in Action
Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri’s Community Engagement Team tabled at the Prince Hall Family Community Health Fair and Blood Drive on February 2 in St. Louis. The team gave out information about Planned Parenthood services, as well information about qualifying for special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Thanks to Brenda, Bobbi, and Sharell for representing Planned Parenthood so well!
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