SB 1221 - This act creates the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act". Under this act, a child born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion shall have the same rights, privileges, and immunities as any other person, citizen, and resident of Missouri, including any other live-born child. Any licensed, registered, or certified health care provider present at the time a child is born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion shall exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious provider would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age or fetal weight, as well as ensure that the child is transported and admitted to a hospital following such care if necessary. A person shall be civilly liable under this act when he or she: (1) knowingly, recklessly, or negligently causes the death of a child born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion; (2) knowingly fails to comply with the health care provider standards of care described in this act; (3) knowingly performs or induces, or attempts to perform or induce, an unlawful abortion; (4) knowingly aids or abets another person to undergo a self-induced abortion or attempted self-induced abortion or to procure an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion; (5) knowingly, recklessly, or negligently supplies or makes available any instrument, device, medicine, drug, or any other means or substance for another person to undergo a self-induced abortion or attempted self-induced abortion or to procure an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion; or (6) knowingly incites, solicits, or otherwise uses speech or writing as an integral part of conduct in violation of a valid criminal statute to influence another person to undergo a self-induced abortion or attempted self-induced abortion or to procure an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion. A cause of action for personal injury, bodily injury, or wrongful death may be brought if injury or death arises out of or results from any of these circumstances to: (1) a person upon whom an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion was performed or induced; (2) a person who underwent a self-induced abortion or attempted self-induced abortion or who procured an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion; (3) a child who was born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion; or (4) an unborn child. In a cause of action for wrongful death, the spouse, partner, parents, and children of the deceased person, child, or unborn child shall be entitled to bring the action and receive damages, attorney fees, and other costs as described in the act. A defendant may not plead or prove a defense that the plaintiff or deceased person assumed or otherwise consented to certain risks involving self-induced or unlawful abortions or attempted self-induced or unlawful abortions. No person shall maintain a cause of action or receive an award of damages under this act if the person engaged in criminal conduct, domestic violence, or sexual assault that caused the pregnancy, or who is a family or household member who aided or abetted in the criminal conduct, domestic violence, or sexual assault. This act is identical to SB 702 (2025), substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/SB 999 (2026), HCS/HBs 1667 & 2294 (2026), HB 195 (2025), SCS/SB 753 (2022), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2012 (2022), HCS/HBs 1593 & 1959 (2022), SB 168 (2021), and SB 665 (2020), and similar to SB 388 (2019). SARAH HASKINS
HB 3434 establishes a Missouri Statewide Sexual Assault Response Task Force to study and improve the state's system for supporting sexual assault victims. The task force, composed of 22 members including legislators, law enforcement, healthcare providers, victim advocates, and agency representatives, will analyze current response practices from initial reporting through legal proceedings. It must evaluate needs for rape crisis center staffing, assess implementation of the Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights, collect data on reporting and prosecution, and identify gaps in victim services. The task force will submit recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2028, focusing on concrete improvements to victim care and justice system coordination. This bill directly affects state agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and victim service organizations involved in sexual assault response.
HB 3213 expands the legal definition of "special victim" to include sports officials - such as referees, umpires, and linesmen - who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting event. To qualify, the official must be trained, certified, or registered by an organization that oversees sports official education. This change directly affects sports officials by granting them the same legal protections as other special victims (e.g., law enforcement or emergency personnel) in assault cases. The bill adds this category to existing definitions without altering penalties or procedures.
HB 3459, known as "Preston's Law," requires law enforcement officers to interact with families of homicide victims using respect, empathy, and trauma-informed communication during investigations. The bill mandates that officers avoid victim-blaming or judgmental remarks, protect family privacy, and provide specific information within set timeframes - such as family verification within 24 hours, autopsy reports within 9-12 months, and victim resources within 48 hours. It also establishes annual training for officers on cultural sensitivity and family engagement, and creates a complaint process with the POST commission for violations, which may result in retraining or disciplinary action. The law directly affects law enforcement personnel conducting homicides and the families of homicide victims.
HB 3426 modifies Missouri's domestic violence protection laws, primarily affecting victims seeking orders and respondents accused of abuse. It establishes new temporary orders prohibiting contact, access to shared housing, and communication, while banning mutual protection orders unless both parties properly filed petitions. Key provisions include courts granting custody, visitation, housing payments, pet custody, and wireless phone number transfers to victims, with specific rules for safety and property. These changes apply to cases under sections 455.010-455.085 of Missouri law.
HB 2628, the "Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act," requires hospitals and health care facilities to provide specific medical care to sexual assault victims. It mandates that facilities orally inform victims about emergency contraception, immediately provide it if requested, and offer sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment. The bill also requires forensic examinations using telehealth support (via a statewide network) when needed, with limited waivers allowed for technological hardships or network outages. These provisions directly affect hospitals, health care facilities, and individuals who are sexual assault victims seeking emergency care.
This bill shields certified sports officials (like referees, umpires, and linesmen) from civil lawsuits for injuries occurring during officiating duties at athletic events, unless the harm resulted from intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent actions. It also classifies sports officials as "special victims" if assaulted while performing their duties, meaning such assaults would be treated as more serious crimes under Missouri law. The law applies specifically to officials registered or certified by recognized sports organizations. This replaces prior legal protections and clarifies that liability protections do not cover intentional misconduct.
HB 2165 amends Missouri law to expand the definition of "special victim" in criminal assault cases. It specifically adds sports officials - such as referees, umpires, or linesmen - who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting event. To qualify, the official must be trained, certified, or registered by a recognized sports organization. This change means assault against these officials will now be treated as a "special victim" offense under existing sentencing laws, potentially leading to enhanced penalties. The bill does not alter sentencing ranges but broadens who qualifies for this legal classification.
