Missouri ‘born-alive’ abortion bill passes through House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Missouri House passed SB 999, a bill that requires immediate care and protection for babies born after an attempted abortion.

An Act featured in Missouri SB 999, or the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act," sponsored by Senator Brad Hudson (R-Cape Fair), guarantees that 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 in Missouri.

"Born-Alive" abortions, also known as live birth abortions, occur when a fetus shows signs of life following an attempted procedure.

The bill would require immediate, professional care for the "born-alive" child to preserve its life, health and comfort.

Under the bill, first-degree murder charges would apply to any person who knowingly performs or attempts to perform an overt act that kills a child born alive.

The bill will head to Governor Kehoe's desk for his signature.