By Barbara Shoun
Contributing Writer
JEFFERSON CITY – Two bills introduced in the Missouri Legislature this session spell out a woman’s right to know her risk factors when considering abortion.
Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter and a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter, is sponsoring Senate Bill 793 (SB 793) which describes what information a woman should be given, how it should be given, when it should be given, and by whom it should be given prior to having an abortion.
“As a Southern Baptist, it has always been my belief that life begins with conception and unborn need to be protected, but regardless of an individual’s religious background, one cannot deny the magnitude of a decision to abort an unborn child,” said Mayer.
“As a Missouri State Senator, I believe that it is important to provide women contemplating this decision an opportunity to review all medically-relevant facts and material. That is why I have sponsored SB 793.”
The right-to-know legislation would include two key components, with the first being scientifically-accurate information provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. This would include color photographs showing the development of the unborn child at two week intervals from conception to birth.
Secondly, the woman would have the right to view and hear a free ultrasound of her unborn child. If the abortion provider does not offer this service, it would have to give information on how to contact facilities within the immediate area of the clinic that offer the free service.
“We cannot legally require a woman to look at or listen to an ultrasound,” said Kerry Messer, lobbyist for the Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission, “but research shows that 90 percent of women who see or hear their baby’s heartbeat will choose life over abortion.”
Messer said that the more detailed information is necessary because the abortion industry has effectively circumvented the spirit of the 24-hour waiting period in current law by directing women to a website for the information.
“The intent was that a woman would come face to face with the environment where the abortion would occur and realize the significance of the commitment she had just made,” Messer said.
Instead, the woman can make the arrangements from home and click on a box that indicates she has contacted the abortion clinic for an appointment.
SB 793 would require that she make the appointment in person and receive a minimal amount of counseling regarding development of the child and agencies that support carrying the baby to term.
Besides the developmental information and free ultrasound, any woman seeking an abortion is to be provided with information regarding anesthesia or an analgesic to alleviate any pain for herself or the child being aborted.
This medically-accurate information is to be given personally by the physician who will perform the abortion and it must be done at least 24 hours before the abortion takes place. Educational materials must also be given 24 hours in advance but may be provided by other qualified professionals.
Messer said passage of this law would put teeth into the 24-hour waiting period, informing a woman what is going on within her own womb.
In the meantime, Rep. Bryan Pratt, R-Blue Springs, has introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives, HB 2000. This bill differs from the Senate bill in that it also addresses a woman’s right not to be coerced into an abortion and makes it a crime to do so.
HB 2000 further states that it shall never be a bona fide occupational qualification that an employee or applicant for employment seek or obtain an abortion.
While HB 2000 has additional provisions not contained in SB 793, the informed consent portion of the bill is identical.
The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee held a hearing on its bill Feb. 15 and will make its recommendation regarding whether or not to bring the bill up for consideration before the whole Senate. A hearing has not yet been scheduled in the House.