The State Senate has given preliminary approval to an abortion bill. It allows for civil litigation to be filed against anyone who helps transport a minor – without her parents’ knowledge and consent – across a state line to have an abortion. Senator John Loudon of Ballwin, the sponsor, says the courts could be used to launch legal action against those helping the minor. Missouri already has a parental consent law, but that does not stop someone from avoiding this state’s law by taking a minor into Illinois or any other border state. In addition to the threat of legal action, the legislation would toughen the safety requirements for physicians performing abortions. One more positive vote in the Senate sends the bill to the House.
