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HB1661 • 2026

Modifies provisions relating to the rights of unborn children

Modifies provisions relating to the rights of unborn children

Children
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Seitz, Brian (156)
Last action
2026-05-15
Official status
05/15/2026 - Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
Effective date
2026-08-28

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Changes Rights for Unborn Children

This bill modifies Missouri laws regarding the rights of unborn children, stating that they have the same legal protections as born individuals.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes an old law about unborn children's rights and replaces it with a new one.
  • States that every human being starts life at conception.
  • Gives unborn children the same legal rights as other people in Missouri.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Unborn children and their parents
  • People who make laws about health care

Terms To Know

Conception
The moment when a baby starts to grow inside its mother.
Prenatal Care
Health care that a pregnant woman gets before her baby is born.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not create new legal actions against women for failing to take proper care of themselves during pregnancy.
  • The bill does not change the U.S. Constitution or Supreme Court decisions about unborn children's rights.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-15 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

  2. 2026-01-08 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read Second Time (H)

  3. 2026-01-07 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read First Time (H)

  4. 2025-12-01 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Prefiled (H)

Official Summary Text

Modifies provisions relating to the rights of unborn children

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1661
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE SEITZ.
3863H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o repeal section 1.205, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to unborn
children.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 1.205, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu
2 thereof, to be known as section 1.205, to read as follows:
1.205. 1. The general assembly of this state finds that:
2 (1) The life of each human being begins at conception;
3 (2) Unborn children have protectable interests in life, health, and well-being and ar e
4 entitled to the same rights, powers, privileges, justice, and pr otections as ar e secured or
5 granted by the laws of this state to any other human person ;
6 (3) The natural parents of unborn children have protectable interests in the life,
7 health, and well-being of their unborn child.
8 2. Eff ective January 1, 1988, the laws of this state shall be interpreted and construed
9 to acknowledge on behalf of the unborn child at every stage of development, all the rights,
10 privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of this state,
11 subject only to the Constitution of the United States, and decisional interpretations thereof by
12 the United States Supreme Court and specific provisions to the contrary in the statutes and
13 constitution of this state.
14 3. As used in this section, the term "unborn children" or "unborn child" shall include
15 all unborn child or children or the of fspring of human beings from the moment of conception
16 until birth at every stage of biological development.
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.
17 4. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as creating a cause of action against a
18 woman for indirectly harming her unborn child by failing to properly care for herself or by
19 failing to follow any particular program of prenatal care.
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