MoLeg Update
Last week, the Missouri Legislature advanced three pieces of legislation that undermine Missourians’ reproductive health and rights:
Teen Endangerment - Second-Parent Notification: Last Monday, the House gave final approval to HB 1383 and sent it to the Senate. The bill endangers pregnant teens’ health and safety by adding another barrier to safe, legal abortion. Missouri law currently requires anyone under the age of 18 to get the written consent of one parent before they can have an abortion; HB 1383 requires the consenting parent to notify the second custodial parent in writing before a minor can access abortion. Major medical groups like the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists oppose measures like HB 1383 because they can endanger teens’ health — especially those who face violence and abuse at home. The government simply cannot mandate healthy family communication. Thank you to the pro-reproductive health lawmakers who spoke against HB 1383: Reps. Deb Lavender, Sue Meredith, Peter Merideth, Judy Morgan, Stacey Newman, Crystal Quade, Sarah Unsicker, and Cora Faith Walker. The bill now awaits action in the Senate.
Diverting Tax Dollars to Faith-Based Anti-Abortion Counseling Centers: The House and Senate each advanced companion bills, HB 1288 and SB 632, that divert $3.5 million tax dollars to faith-based anti-abortion counseling centers. Pregnant people deserve accurate information about all of their options, but faith-based anti-abortion counseling centers are not required to provide it. In the Senate, Sen. Jill Schupp offered an amendment to require these centers to provide medically accurate information in order to receive tax credits, but the body voted it down. In addition to Sen. Schupp, thank you to Reps. Doug Beck, Bob Burns, Judy Morgan, Stacey Newman, Sarah Unsicker, and Cora Faith Walker for speaking out against diverting tax dollars to faith-based-anti-abortion counseling centers. The House gave final approval to HB 1288 and sent it to the Senate; while SB 632 awaits another vote in the Senate before advancing to the House.
- St. Louis Public Radio: Bill to extend tax credits for anti-abortion pregnancy resource centers passes Missouri House
- Follow us on Twitter for the latest MoLeg happenings: @PPMO_Advocates
Local Progress: Health Center Safety Bill Advances
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will soon take a final vote on Board Bill 34, the Health Center Safety Bill. It is a common-sense measure that will improve the safety of patients, providers, volunteers, and staff at health centers in St. Louis City, including the Planned Parenthood health center on Forest Park Ave.
The bill creates an eight-foot buffer zone around the driveway, preventing protesters from impeding access to the health center. This buffer zone will decrease the likelihood of vehicle traffic backing up onto the street and causing a collision. Planned Parenthood supports First Amendment rights, and BB 34 bill protects those rights while also allowing those entering and exiting health centers a safe path to do so.
St. Louis City residents: take action and encourage your alderperson to pass BB 34! |
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- Learn more: Board Bill 34 Fact Sheet
Join Us for Lobby Day on Wednesday, March 28!
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 28 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!
Stand With Planned Parenthood in Your Community
Recap: February 27th Lobby Day
More than 30 citizen-lobbyists traveled to Jefferson City on Tuesday, February 27 to talk with lawmakers about sexual and reproductive health and rights. Participants met with 9 Republicans and 9 Democrats throughout the day, as well as 39 legislative staffers. They urged legislators to oppose HB 1288 and SB 632, which divert tax dollars to faith-based anti-abortion counseling centers, and to support two proactive bills: HB 1499, which will increase access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) for MO HealthNet patients, and SB 803 and HB 1627, which restricts the practice of shackling pregnant people in jails and prisons.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join the fight for access to health care on the state and federal levels! Join Planned Parenthood Advocates’ 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, March 6 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- Springfield Phone Banking: Friday, March 9 from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- Springfield Volunteer Advocates Meeting: Monday, March 12 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- St. Louis Phone Banking: Friday, March 9 from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- West St. Louis County Door-to-Door Canvassing: Saturday, March 10 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Clean Missouri Campaign
Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri 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!
Find Events Near You
Check Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s national calendar to find an event near you!
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