X Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
MRL Header

Missouri Legislature Passes HCS HJR 73 and Gives Missouri Voters the Opportunity to Restore Respect for Women and Babies in Our Missouri Constitution in 2026


This week the Missouri Senate used a rare procedural move called a PQ (Previous Question) to shut down a pro-abortion filibuster and advance HCS HJR 73 to the Secretary of State’s office to be placed on the 2026 ballot. Unless Governor Kehoe calls a special session for an earlier vote, the voters of Missouri will have the ultimate voice in November of 2026 to determine if abortion on demand, all 9 months of pregnancy for any reason, stays in the Missouri Constitution. 


When Judge Zhang removed all safety regulations from Missouri Statutes in a lawsuit against the State of Missouri, women and babies became more in harm’s way than ever before. These now-overturned safety regulations were put in place because Planned Parenthood in Missouri has a recorded history of the following, but not limited to these items: dirty abortion facilities, dried bloody equipment, rusty equipment, expired drugs and unqualified personnel. Without oversight, how long would it be before Planned Parenthood reverts back to these abhorrent safety hazards? And because of Amendment 3, our Missouri Constitution would prevent a woman from suing anyone associated with their abortion for any reason. 


Read more from Missouri Right to Life.


Link - Missouri Legislature Passes Pro-Life Referendum to Repeal Radically Pro-Abortion Amendment

LEGISLATIVE REPORT OF 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

 

Missouri pro-lifers have much to be thankful for in this 2025 legislative session!

 

We will be reporting the votes on all these bills next week in our Lifeline so you can call your Senator and Representative and thank them if they voted in support of these bills/resolution. 


Each of these bills and the resolution will help in our fight to protect pregnant moms and babies in Missouri:

 

  • HCS HJR 73 – (Sponsors: Rep. Ed Lewis, Rep. Brian Seitz and Senator Adam Schnelting) gives Missouri voters an opportunity to restore respect for women and babies in our Missouri Constitution. The vote for this will be in 2026 (see press release above). Status: This resolution has gone to the Secretary of State.


  • SB#2 SCS SB 22 – (Sponsors: Senator Rick Brattin, Rep. Ben Keathley) gives the Secretary of State more oversight over ballot language and gives the Attorney General the ability to appeal preliminary injunctions in which the state has been enjoined. Status: This bill has been signed by the Governor and the Attorney General has begun the process of appeals on bad rulings by the court on pro-life issues.


  • SS SB 152 - (Sponsors: Senator Ben Brown, Rep. Jim Murphy) prevents foreign spending in state ballot measures. Status: This bill has been sent to the Governor for his signature.


  • SS SCS HB 121 – (Sponsors: Rep. Jim Murphy, Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman) Status: This bill has been sent to the Governor for his signature.


HB 121 began as a bill creating a fund to help communities put in place newborn safety incubators for new parents to relinquish a newborn child with no questions asked. And, that the baby may be dropped off at the local safety incubator for up to 90 days.

SS SCS HB 121 now includes the following: 

1.  Establishes a fund to help with adoptions, helping to make adoptions more affordable.

2.  Increases tax credits for Maternity Homes.

3.  Increases tax credits for a “National Diaper Bank”.

4.  Sets up a Fund to help communities install newborn safety incubators

5.  Increases the drop off time for new parents to relinquish a newborn child from 45 days to 90 days.

 

BUDGET REPORT: 


We continue to review the final numbers of the budget. Again, here is an initial overview of some pro-life provisions of budget bills:

1.  HB 10 – Department of Health and Senior Services: Multiple sections of funding for maternal healthcare during pregnancy and post-partum care

2.  HB 11 – Department of Social Services: In addition to the following funding, there are multiple sections of funding for adoption, maternity homes and helps with/for pregnancy and children’s health insurance programs

3.  HB 11 – Alternatives to Abortion Program: 11.285 - $10,300,000 and $550, 000 for public awareness program

4.  HB 11 – Adoptions, Maternity Hones and Diaper Banks – 11.286 - $2,000,000

 

Your Missouri Right to Life Legislative Team will be reviewing all legislation that made it through the process for any further pro-life issues and will keep you updated.


Thank you for all your support of Missouri Right to Life and our education work, our legislative work and our MRL PAC work!

Life Links

‘A pro-life bill that everybody agrees with’: Missouri measure heads to governor’s desk


Link - A Missouri bill to support struggling parents and protect vulnerable newborns is now awaiting Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature after passing both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support.

House Committee Passes Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood


Link - The House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed the reconciliation bill that Republicans plan to advance in Congress to cut the massive size of the federal government.

Planned Parenthood 2023-2024 Annual Report Reveals Record Abortions, Taxpayer Funding


Link - Planned Parenthood released its 2023-2024 annual report over Mother’s Day weekend, revealing record abortions and taxpayer funding.

‘The label should be changed’: HHS Sec Kennedy pledges to review FDA approval of abortion drug


Link - HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said Wednesday that he has ordered a top-down review of the abortion drug mifepristone in light of “alarming” research showing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pill does far more harm to women than previously reported.

The Abortion Landscape Is Changing. So Is The Pro-Life Response.


Link - A decrease in physical abortion facilities does not mean the need for pregnancy help is any less urgent.

Hospital investigated for forcing medical professionals to participate in its abortion business


Link - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched an investigation into a hospital that stands accused of forcing medical professionals to help with its abortion business.

Pro-Life Around the State

May 17 - Bowling Green - Pike County Walk for Life, 11 am at Bowling Green City Park. Click here to register.


June 6 - Mountain Grove - Wright County Lincoln Day, 6:00 pm at Shetler's Event Center. Speaker will be Dave Plemmons from Missouri Right to Life. For ticket sales or information contact Lori Jones - 417-464-4075 or Weston Chadwell - 417-349-0727.


June 12 - Sedalia - The Sedalia chapter of MRL is hosting a free showing of the 1916 Project, 7 pm at Hayden Theatre, Liberty Center, 111 W. 5th St. Trailer: https://the1916project.com


June 20-21 - Overland Park, KS - National Right to Life Convention. Visit https://nrlconvention.com/ for more information and to register.


September 8 - St. Charles - Make Missouri Pro-Life Again banquet, 7:00 pm at the St. Charles Convention Center: 1 Convention Center Plaza. Featured speaker: Lara Trump. Online registration opens soon at www.easternregionmrl.org/banquet

If you are a business that supports pro-life values, please use this contact information to buy advertisement to promote your business to pro-life people in the St Louis region.
Please remember MRL in your charitable giving.
Join our Pro-Life Communication Network where you can actively get involved in our lobbying efforts to fight for pro-life legislation!
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram