MoLeg Update
Human Trafficking Bill Passed: The Legislature passed its first bill of the session last week. House Bill 1246, a proactive measure to increase awareness of human trafficking, now awaits awaits Gov. Greitens’ signature. Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri supports the bill and testified in favor of its passage.
Abortion Ban Hearing: On January 30, the House Children and Families Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1266, an unconstitutional measure to ban abortion after 22 weeks. Two patients who had abortions that would be banned under this new law traveled to Jefferson City for the hearing. Both Rachel Goldberg and Kadie Tannehill bravely and confidently shared their experiences and opposition to this restriction, encouraging lawmakers not to insert themselves into a private and often complex decision between pregnant person, their family, and their doctor.
The Missouri Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) testified against the abortion ban, along with the ACLU of Missouri and NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri. M’Evie Mead of Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri concluded opposing testimony by explaining that, “This ban is rooted in opposition to abortion, not in credible medical science.”
- Columbia Missourian: House committee hears testimony on 20-week abortion ban
Restricting the Use of Shackles on Pregnant People in Correctional Facilities: On Thursday, Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri joined with the March of Dimes, NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri, the ACLU of Missouri, and Campaign Life Missouri to support Sen. Jamilah Nasheed’s SB 803, which restricts the use of shackles on pregnant people in state prisons and city and county jails. Shackling during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period is dangerous to both the pregnant person and the fetus, as it increases the risk of falling, restricts movement, and can delay needed medical care. Leading medical organizations, including ACOG and the American Medical Association (AMA), oppose the practice.
- Columbia Missourian: Using shackles on incarcerated women in labor addressed in proposed bill
- Follow us on Twitter as we live-tweet hearings: @PPMO_Advocates
Join Us For February Lobby Days!
Mark your calendars and join fellow advocates talking with lawmakers in Jefferson City about Missourians’ sexual and reproductive health and rights! We have carpools leaving from Columbia, Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis. Whether you’ve never been to the Capitol or you’ve walked the halls a hundred times, join us and make a difference!
| Wednesday, February 7 | Thursday, February 27 |
|---|---|
| RSVP for Columbia | RSVP for Columbia |
| RSVP for Kansas City | RSVP for Kansas City |
| RSVP for Springfield | RSVP for Springfield |
| RSVP for St. Louis | RSVP for St. Louis |
Stand With Planned Parenthood in Your Community
Recap: Teen Advocacy Day
We couldn't ask for a better start to the 2018 legislative session than young people storming the Capitol at our first-ever Teen Advocacy Day! 40 members of the St. Louis Teen Advocates for Sexual Health (TASH) program visited dozens of legislators to discuss the importance of comprehensive, medically accurate sex education. Students even trained to lead their own teams, so the day was truly run by and for teens. They shared their stories, discussed issues like consent and LGBTQ inclusivity, and we even overheard the legislators receiving some impromptu sex ed themselves. Will you join a lobby day to build on TASH’s hard work?
- Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri: Photos from TASH Advocacy Day
Recap: PPGP at the Hippo Campus Concert in Columbia
Indie rock band Hippo Campus partnered with Planned Parenthood Great Plains for its Friday night show at the Blue Note. PPGP volunteers gathered signatures and shared information about Planned Parenthood health services with concert goers.
Holding Gov. Greitens Accountable for Undermining Sexual & Reproductive Health
Gov. Greitens was in Springfield on Tuesday to talk taxes and a group of concerned Missourians didn't want him to get out of town without hearing what they think about his egregious attacks on sexual and reproductive health, especially access to safe and legal abortion. These women know that Missouri TRAP laws are unnecessary, burdensome and do absolutely nothing to improve health outcomes for people who need abortion care. They braved the frigid temperatures to make their voices heard. Missouri is waiting for Gov. Greitens to stop attacking sexual and reproductive health because we deserve better.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join the fight for access to health care on the state and federal levels! Join Planned Parenthood organizers and volunteers to crowd-canvass, make calls, and enter data. You can participate in the phone banks in person or remotely!
- Columbia Data Entry & Phone Banking: Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- St. Louis Phone Banking: Friday, Feb. 9 from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
- Springfield Healthy Neighborhood Canvass: Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Clean Missouri Democracy Reform Campaign
Planned Parenthood is supporting Clean Missouri, a non-partisan effort to reform our democracy by banning big lobbyist gifts, capping campaign contributions, and improving the way we draw district lines. Join us and help put power back in voters' hands!
- Springfield: Email Southwest Missouri Grassroots Organizer Stacy Sherrod
- St. Louis: Email Lead Grassroots Organizer Alaina Smith
Find Events Near You
Check Planned Parenthood’s national calendar to find events planned in your community!
- Planned Parenthood Event Calendar: Find an event near you
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