Mo. Rev. Stat. § 188.027 — MO Code / Chapter 188 / Section 188.027
188.027 Consent, voluntary and informed, required — procedure, contents — ...
Status: in_force

188.027. Consent, voluntary and informed, required — procedure, contents — information to be presented in person — information on risks — medical emergency, procedure — payment prohibited, when — written materials required, when — emergency rules authorized — waiting period restrained or enjoined, effect of. — 1. Except in cases of medical emergency, no abortion shall be performed or induced on a woman without her voluntary and informed consent, given freely and without coercion. Consent to an abortion is voluntary and informed and given freely and without coercion if, and only if, at least seventy-two hours prior to the abortion:

(1) The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion, a qualified professional, or the referring physician has informed the woman orally, reduced to writing, and in person, of the following:

(a) The name of the physician who will perform or induce the abortion;

(b) Medically accurate information that a reasonable patient would consider material to the decision of whether or not to undergo the abortion, including:

a. A description of the proposed abortion method;

b. The immediate and long-term medical risks to the woman associated with the proposed abortion method including, but not limited to, infection, hemorrhage, cervical tear or uterine perforation, harm to subsequent pregnancies or the ability to carry a subsequent child to term, and possible adverse psychological effects associated with the abortion; and

c. The immediate and long-term medical risks to the woman, in light of the anesthesia and medication that is to be administered, the unborn child's gestational age, and the woman's medical history and medical condition;

(c) Alternatives to the abortion which shall include making the woman aware that information and materials shall be provided to her detailing such alternatives to the abortion;

(d) A statement that the physician performing or inducing the abortion is available for any questions concerning the abortion, together with the telephone number that the physician may be later reached to answer any questions that the woman may have;

(e) The location of the hospital that offers obstetrical or gynecological care located within thirty miles of the location where the abortion is performed or induced and at which the physician performing or inducing the abortion has clinical privileges and where the woman may receive follow-up care by the physician if complications arise;

(f) The gestational age of the unborn child at the time the abortion is to be performed or induced; and

(g) The anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child at the time the abortion is to be performed or induced;

(2) The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or a qualified professional has presented the woman, in person, printed materials provided by the department, which describe the probable anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child at two-week gestational increments from conception to full term, including color photographs or images of the developing unborn child at two-week gestational increments. Such descriptions shall include information about brain and heart functions, the presence of external members and internal organs during the applicable stages of development and information on when the unborn child is viable. The printed materials shall prominently display the following statement: "The life of each human being begins at conception. Abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being.";

(3) The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion, a qualified professional, or the referring physician has presented the woman, in person, printed materials provided by the department, which describe the various surgical and drug-induced methods of abortion relevant to the stage of pregnancy, as well as the immediate and long-term medical risks commonly associated with each abortion method including, but not limited to, infection, hemorrhage, cervical tear or uterine perforation, harm to subsequent pregnancies or the ability to carry a subsequent child to term, and the possible adverse psychological effects associated with an abortion;

(4) The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or a qualified professional shall provide the woman with the opportunity to view at least seventy-two hours prior to the abortion an active ultrasound of the unborn child and hear the heartbeat of the unborn child if the heartbeat is audible. The woman shall be provided with a geographically indexed list maintained by the department of health care providers, facilities, and clinics that perform ultrasounds, including those that offer ultrasound services free of charge. Such materials shall provide contact information for each provider, facility, or clinic including telephone numbers and, if available, website addresses. Should the woman decide to obtain an ultrasound from a provider, facility, or clinic other than the abortion facility, the woman shall be offered a reasonable time to obtain the ultrasound examination before the date and time set for performing or inducing an abortion. The person conducting the ultrasound shall ensure that the active ultrasound image is of a quality consistent with standard medical practice in the community, contains the dimensions of the unborn child, and accurately portrays the presence of external members and internal organs, if present or viewable, of the unborn child. The auscultation of fetal heart tone must also be of a quality consistent with standard medical practice in the community. If the woman chooses to view the ultrasound or hear the heartbeat or both at the abortion facility, the viewing or hearing or both shall be provided to her at the abortion facility at least seventy-two hours prior to the abortion being performed or induced;

(5) The printed materials provided by the department shall include information on the possibility of an abortion causing pain in the unborn child. This information shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(a) Unborn children as early as eight weeks gestational age start to show spontaneous movements and unborn children at this stage in pregnancy show reflex responses to touch;

(b) In the unborn child, the area around his or her mouth and lips is the first part of the unborn child's body to respond to touch and by fourteen weeks gestational age most of the unborn child's body is responsive to touch;

(c) Pain receptors on the unborn child's skin develop around his or her mouth at around seven to eight weeks gestational age, around the palms of his or her hands at ten to ten and a half weeks, on the abdominal wall at fifteen weeks, and over all of his or her body at sixteen weeks gestational age;

(d) Beginning at sixteen weeks gestational age and later, it is possible for pain to be transmitted from receptors to the cortex of the unborn child's brain, where thinking and perceiving occur;

(e) When a physician performs a life-saving surgery, he or she provides anesthesia to unborn children as young as sixteen weeks gestational age in order to alleviate the unborn child's pain; and

(f) A description of the actual steps in the abortion procedure to be performed or induced and at which steps the abortion procedure could be painful to the unborn child;

(6) The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or a qualified professional has presented the woman, in person, printed materials provided by the department explaining to the woman alternatives to abortion she may wish to consider. Such materials shall:

(a) Identify on a geographical basis public and private agencies available to assist a woman in carrying her unborn child to term, and to assist her in caring for her dependent child or placing her child for adoption, including agencies commonly known and generally referred to as pregnancy resource centers, crisis pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies. Such materials shall provide a comprehensive list by geographical area of the agencies, a description of the services they offer, and the telephone numbers and addresses of the agencies; provided that such materials shall not include any programs, services, organizations, or affiliates of organizations that perform or induce, or assist in the performing or inducing of, abortions or that refer for abortions;

(b) Explain the Missouri alternatives to abortion services program under section 188.325 , and any other programs and services available to pregnant women and mothers of newborn children offered by public or private agencies which assist a woman in carrying her unborn child to term and assist her in caring for her dependent child or placing her child for adoption, including but not limited to prenatal care; maternal health care; newborn or infant care; mental health services; professional counseling services; housing programs; utility assistance; transportation services; food, clothing, and supplies related to pregnancy; parenting skills; educational programs; job training and placement services; drug and alcohol testing and treatment; and adoption assistance;

(c) Identify the state website for the Missouri alternatives to abortion services program under section 188.325 , and any toll-free number established by the state operated in conjunction with the program;

(d) Prominently display the statement: "There are public and private agencies willing and able to help you carry your child to term, and to assist you and your child after your child is born, whether you choose to keep your child or place him or her for adoption. The state of Missouri encourages you to contact those agencies before making a final decision about abortion. State law requires that your physician or a qualified professional give you the opportunity to call agencies like these before you undergo an abortion.";

(7) The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or a qualified professional has presented the woman, in person, printed materials provided by the department explaining that the father of the unborn child is liable to assist in the support of the child, even in instances where he has offered to pay for the abortion. Such materials shall include information on the legal duties and support obligations of the father of a child, including, but not limited to, child support payments, and the fact that paternity may be established by the father's name on a birth certificate or statement of paternity, or by court action. Such printed materials shall also state that more information concerning paternity establishment and child support services and enforcement may be obtained by calling the family support division within the Missouri department of social services; and

(8) The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or a qualified professional shall inform the woman that she is free to withhold or withdraw her consent to the abortion at any time without affecting her right to future care or treatment and without the loss of any state or federally funded benefits to which she might otherwise be entitled.

2. All information required to be provided to a woman considering abortion by subsection 1 of this section shall be presented to the woman individually, in the physical presence of the woman and in a private room, to protect her privacy, to maintain the confidentiality of her decision, to ensure that the information focuses on her individual circumstances, to ensure she has an adequate opportunity to ask questions, and to ensure that she is not a victim of coerced abortion. Should a woman be unable to read materials provided to her, they shall be read to her. Should a woman need an interpreter to understand the information presented in the written materials, an interpreter shall be provided to her. Should a woman ask questions concerning any of the information or materials, answers shall be provided in a language she can understand.

3. No abortion shall be performed or induced unless and until the woman upon whom the abortion is to be performed or induced certifies in writing on a checklist form provided by the department that she has been presented all the information required in subsection 1 of this section, that she has been provided the opportunity to view an active ultrasound image of the unborn child and hear the heartbeat of the unborn child if it is audible, and that she further certifies that she gives her voluntary and informed consent, freely and without coercion, to the abortion procedure.

4. No physician shall perform or induce an abortion unless and until the physician has obtained from the woman her voluntary and informed consent given freely and without coercion. If the physician has reason to believe that the woman is being coerced into having an abortion, the physician or qualified professional shall inform the woman that services are available for her and shall provide her with private access to a telephone and information about such services, including but not limited to the following:

(1) Rape crisis centers, as defined in section 455.003 ;

(2) Shelters for victims of domestic violence, as defined in section 455.200 ; and

(3) Orders of protection, pursuant to chapter 455 .

5. The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion shall, at least seventy-two hours prior to such procedure, inform the woman orally and in person of:

(1) The immediate and long-term medical risks to the woman associated with the proposed abortion method including, but not limited to, infection, hemorrhage, cervical tear or uterine perforation, harm to subsequent pregnancies or the ability to carry a subsequent child to term, and possible adverse psychological effects associated with the abortion; and

(2) The immediate and long-term medical risks to the woman, in light of the anesthesia and medication that is to be administered, the unborn child's gestational age, and the woman's medical history and medical conditions.

6. No physician shall perform or induce an abortion unless and until the physician has received and signed a copy of the form prescribed in subsection 3 of this section. The physician shall retain a copy of the form in the patient's medical record.

7. In the event of a medical emergency, the physician who performed or induced the abortion shall clearly certify in writing the nature and circumstances of the medical emergency. This certification shall be signed by the physician who performed or induced the abortion, and shall be maintained under section 188.060 .

8. No person or entity shall require, obtain, or accept payment for an abortion from or on behalf of a patient until at least seventy-two hours have passed since the time that the information required by subsection 1 of this section has been provided to the patient. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a person or entity from notifying the patient that payment for the abortion will be required after the seventy-two-hour period has expired if she voluntarily chooses to have the abortion.

9. The term "qualified professional" as used in this section shall refer to a physician, physician assistant, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, psychologist, licensed professional counselor, or licensed social worker, licensed or registered under chapter 334 , 335 , or 337 , acting under the supervision of the physician performing or inducing the abortion, and acting within the course and scope of his or her authority provided by law. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to in any way expand the authority otherwise provided by law relating to the licensure, registration, or scope of practice of any such qualified professional.

10. By November 30, 2010, the department shall produce the written materials and forms described in this section. Any written materials produced shall be printed in a typeface large enough to be clearly legible. All information shall be presented in an objective, unbiased manner designed to convey only accurate scientific and medical information. The department shall furnish the written materials and forms at no cost and in sufficient quantity to any person who performs or induces abortions, or to any hospital or facility that provides abortions. The department shall make all information required by subsection 1 of this section available to the public through its department website. The department shall maintain a toll-free, twenty-four-hour hotline telephone number where a caller can obtain information on a regional basis concerning the agencies and services described in subsection 1 of this section. No identifying information regarding persons who use the website shall be collected or maintained. The department shall monitor the website on a regular basis to prevent tampering and correct any operational deficiencies.

11. In order to preserve the compelling interest of the state to ensure that the choice to consent to an abortion is voluntary and informed, and given freely and without coercion, the department shall use the procedures for adoption of emergency rules under section 536.025 in order to promulgate all necessary rules, forms, and other necessary material to implement this section by November 30, 2010.

12. If the provisions in subsections 1 and 8 of this section requiring a seventy-two-hour waiting period for an abortion are ever temporarily or permanently restrained or enjoined by judicial order, then the waiting period for an abortion shall be twenty-four hours; provided, however, that if such temporary or permanent restraining order or injunction is stayed or dissolved, or otherwise ceases to have effect, the waiting period for an abortion shall be seventy-two hours.

(L. 1979 H.B. 523, et al., A.L. 2010 S.B. 793, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1307 & 1313, A.L. 2017 2d Ex. Sess. S.B. 5, A.L. 2019 H.B. 126) (2016) Admitting privileges provision is substantially similar to Texas statute held to violate the federal Constitution by placing a substantial obstacle in path of women seeking a previability abortion and by constituting an undue burden on abortion access. Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, 579 U.S. 582 (2016). (2019) Informed consent requirements of section did not violate patient's rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in section 1.302. Doe v. Parson, 567 S.W.3d 625 (Mo.). See also Doe v. Parson, 368 F.Supp.3d 1345 (E.D.Mo.).