The state House has voted to require notification of all parents and guardians of a minor seeking an abortion.
The bill would expand Missouri law that requires the consent of one parent or guardian for a minor to have an abortion, and require the person giving consent to notify other parents and guardians.

Representative Rocky Miller (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Representative Rocky Miller said his minor abortion notification bill was based on what happened when his then-teenage daughter became pregnant.  (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Democrats who oppose the bill, including Stacey Newman (St. Louis), say it is tailored to “perfect” families.

“Where no one is ever raped, no child is ever sexually assaulted, and no child is certainly in danger from any male relatives or friends. Also this perfect family where incest doesn’t exist,” said Newman.

Representative Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) said Newman has it wrong, and that the bill is for imperfect families and situations.

“The broken home where there are divded families where the mother and father of that child are no longer living together,” said Brattin.

Proponents note a provision in the bill that waives the requirement that notification be made to a parent or guardian who is guilty of specified crimes, is listed on the state’s Child Abuse or Neglect Central Registry or Sexual Offender Registry, has an order of protection against him or her, has had his or her parental rights terminated, who cannot be located, or who is incapacitated.

Representative Genise Montecillo (D-St. Louis) said that’s not good enough, and said the bill could still endanger minors who have been abused, especially if a parent or guardian is the abuser.

“It’s very difficult to tease out those bad actors. Even when we know they’re bad actors it’s very difficult to get prosecutions,” said Montecillo.

Brattin compared the notification requirement to other things that parents must be notified of, such as opening a banking account for a child or a child taking medication at school. Abortion rights supporters say the difference is abortion is a constitutionally-protected medical procedure.

The bill has been sent to the Senate.

Earlier story:  Missouri House considers notification of all parents, guardians before minor has an abortion