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After contentious debate, Senate adopts revised substitute for SB999 — 'born alive' language plus domestic‑violence and cyberstalking measures
Summary
Following hours of floor exchanges about consent rules, waiting periods, and criminal penalties, the Senate adopted a revised substitute for SB999 that preserves born‑alive protections while incorporating negotiated language from domestic‑violence, cyberstalking and pregnancy‑mortality bills; critics said the package expanded far beyond the original scope.
The Missouri Senate adopted a revised substitute for Senate Bill 999 after prolonged debate and negotiated changes that sponsors said preserved the original "born alive" purpose while folding in language from other vetted bills addressing domestic violence, cyberstalking and pregnancy‑related mortality review.
Senate debate showed sharp divisions. Proponents framed the measure as ensuring that any infant who survives abortion attempts receives the same professional care as any other newborn of the same gestational age. “This bill would make sure that children who survive an abortion attempt are given the same care, the same treatment of any other child of the same gestational age,” a sponsor said on the floor. Supporters argued the substitute clarifies reporting obligations and strengthens protections for newborns.
Opponents said the published draft went well beyond that narrow purpose: it contained provisions that would ban medication abortion, criminalize staff in health‑care settings for certain omissions, prescribe lengthy mandatory in‑person counseling and 72‑hour waiting periods, require government‑produced materials and checklists, mandate ultrasound viewing and reporting, impose pathologist reporting and retention of tissue, and place mileage and clinical‑privilege restrictions on providers. Critics called several elements unprecedented in state health law and warned the provisions could restrict care across rural areas because of facility and mileage rules.
Floor negotiators revised the substitute several times. Sponsors removed or narrowed some items and accepted amendments intended to address vehicle‑tracking/manufacturer carve‑outs and to incorporate domestic‑violence/cyberstalking language that had passed committee. After a temporary recess for enrollment work and consideration of a final drafting change, the Senate adopted the amended substitute and declared it perfected and ordered it printed. Sponsors said the chamber had maintained the original protections for infants and added other safety measures; opponents called the package bloated and warned of constitutional and implementation concerns.
The chamber recessed for enrollment and further procedural steps; the substitute will proceed through final enrollment and transmittal.
