Missouri Bill Amending Informed Consent Requirements to Include Video (HB 124)

HB 124 would amend Missouri’s informed consent law (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 188.027) to require that the Department of Health and Senior Services to create a video that contains all of the information that must be provided to a woman considering an abortion by the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion (as set forth in Mo. Rev. Stat. § 188.027) except that the video is not required to contain the name of the physician who will perform or induce the abortion; the telephone number at which the physician may be later reached to answer any questions the woman may have; and the location of the hospital that offers obstetrical or gynecological care located within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is performed or induced at which the physician has clinical privileges and where the woman may receive follow-up care by the physician if complications arise.

The physician would be required to show the video to a woman seeking abortion 72 hours before performing the abortion.

According to Planned Parenthood Advocates of Missouri:

HB 124 requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to create a video that contains all the information required to be provided to a woman considering an abortion. If passed, a woman seeking abortion services would be forced to receive state-scripted counseling that includes medically inaccurate information designed to try to change her mind 3 times; in person, in writing and in the forced viewing of a video. . A woman should have accurate information about all of her options. Information should support a woman, help her make a decision for herself, and enable her to take care of her health and well-being. It should not be provided with the intent of shaming, coercing, or making a woman change her mind.

STATUS

The provisions of this bill were included in the version of HB 1307 that was introduced in 2013, but were stripped from the final version that was “truly agreed” upon.

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