SEXUAL EDUCATION - This act revises current law requirements for the presentation of information in public schools relating to contraception and sexually transmitted diseases.

Current law asserts that students must be presented with the latest medically factual information regarding side effects, health benefits, and failure rates for methods of prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. This act alters this provision, adding the option of presenting students with information on contraceptives and pregnancy in a manner consistent with federal abstinence laws.

School districts and charter schools are prohibited from providing abortion services or allowing a person or entity who provides abortion services from offering, sponsoring, or furnishing course materials related to human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases.

The act explicitly states that its provisions are applicable to charter schools.

These provisions are substantially similar to SB 432 (2007).

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES - Under this act, definitions for "department" and "medical emergency" were added in the chapter regulating abortions.

This act also modifies certain penalties relating to abortion. Currently, there are penalties for any person who knowingly performs or aids in the performance of any abortion. This act includes penalties for those persons who knowingly induce or aid in the inducing of an abortion.

This act also provides for an affirmative medical emergency defense for violations of any abortion provision. Medical emergency is defined as a condition which, on the basis of a physician's good-faith clinical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert the death of the pregnant woman or for which delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.

These provisions are substantially similar to SB 992 (2006).

AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER DEFINITION - This act modifies the definition of "ambulatory surgical center" in Section 197.200, RSMo, to include "any establishment operated for the purpose of performing or inducing any second or third trimester abortions or at least five or more first trimester abortions per month."

These provisions are identical to SB 1199 (2006).

ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION - This act establishes the Missouri Alternatives to Abortion Services Program and the Missouri Alternatives to Abortion Public Awareness Program. Such programs will provide services or counseling to pregnant women as well as assistance to women in caring for their children or placing them up for adoption. Counseling and services are available to a woman during her pregnancy and for one year after the birth of her child. The department or departments to which the programs are to be assigned by appropriations are required to develop an advertising campaign publicizing alternatives to abortion and to prioritize federal, public, and private moneys so that they are used first to fund these programs. The programs and their funds shall not be used to perform, induce, or assist in abortions.

These provisions are substantially similar to SB 375 (2007).

This act is identical to SCS/SBs 370, 375 & 432 (2007).

ADRIANE CROUSE