Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe Signs Bill to Protect Babies Who Survive Abortions

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 999 into law Monday, enacting the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to protect babies born alive after attempted abortions by requiring immediate medical care and granting them full legal rights.

The legislation declares that any infant born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion “shall have the same rights, privileges and immunities as any other person, citizen and resident in Missouri.”

It requires medical professionals to provide “immediate, professional care” to the child “to preserve life, health and comfort.”

Anyone who knowingly performs or attempts an overt act to kill such an infant faces charges of first-degree murder.

Missouri Right to Life welcomed the governor’s action.

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“Missouri Right to Life extends our deepest gratitude to Governor Mike Kehoe for signing Senate Bill 999, which includes the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” the organization said. “We also extend our sincere thanks to Senator Brad Hudson, Representative Brian Seitz, and Representative Holly Jones for their diligent work in guiding this legislation through the House and Senate.“

“The most vulnerable among us deserve every opportunity to thrive. This legislation ensures that babies who survive attempted abortions receive the same level of medical care as any other newborn, giving them the chance at life every child deserves,” the group added.

The bill moved through the legislature this year after Senate approval. The House passed it May 13 and sent it to the governor for his signature.

House sponsor Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, called the measure common sense.

“They’re deserving of health care. It’s just common sense,” Seitz said. “This legislation protects infants and it protects women.”

Susan Klein, executive director of Missouri Right to Life, emphasized the importance of the protections when the House advanced the bill.

“The Missouri House of Representatives passed SB 999, which includes the ‘Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,’” Klein said. “The Missouri Senate passed the bill last week and sent it to the House. The bill ensures that children born-alive after an abortion have all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to any other person and requires medical professionals to provide health care to abortion survivors. This legislation is essential for saving the lives of vulnerable children.”

Klein noted that claims the babies are already protected do not hold up.

“Opponents of this bill claim that these babies are already protected, but this is not true,” she said. “A baby born-alive from an attempted abortion is different than a normal delivery. When a woman signs a consent form for the abortion, she is not expecting a live birth. In addition, the abortionist was engaged to produce a dead baby. Missouri does not have an explicit protection for these precious babies born-alive after an attempted abortion and fighting for life.”