Missouri closes “glaring loophole” with new law protecting infant abortion survivors

Missouri’s governor signed life-saving legislation into law Monday to protect infants who survive an abortion.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act requires health care workers to provide full medical care to newborns after a failed abortion. Doctors must use the same degree of professional skill to save the infant that they would use for any other newborn or face first-degree murder charges.

“Any person who knowingly performs or attempts to perform an overt act that kills a child born alive shall be guilty of first-degree murder,” the law states.

It also gives families the right to sue for wrongful death.

Pro-life leaders argue the 2024 constitutional amendment declaring a right to abortion opened the door to late-term abortions, making protections for newborn survivors an urgent need.

Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, carried the bill in the House.

“Missouri’s current infanticide laws have a carve out that doesn’t protect survivors of abortive attempts from being allowed to die on the table. This bill fixes that glaring hole in our statutes and ensures the right to life for all born children,” Seitz said. “God is great and I’m thankful to all who had a hand in the passage of this important bill!”

Bill sponsor Sen. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, called the new law a major step forward for the state’s pro-life movement as the vote looms on Amendment 3, which would protect unborn children by effectively banning abortion in most cases.

“It’s tragic that this even needed to be made a law, but a huge victory for kids and the right to life,” Hudson said. “All of God’s children deserve the opportunity to experience the freedom this country has to offer, and I’m glad we have finally closed a loophole in Missouri law that allowed these precious creations to die without care.”

The born-alive law also expands the state maternity review board from 18 to 22 members. The expanded board will focus on tracking maternal deaths and identifying health care gaps in rural maternity deserts.

It takes effect July 1, 2027.

(Rep. Brian Seitz and Sen. Brad Hudson stand together after Senate Bill 999 is signed. Image Credit: Brian Seitz/Facebook)