HCS#2 HJR 54 Stinnett, Melanie Committee
HCS#2 HJR 54 -- REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE
SPONSOR: Stinnett
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Children and Families by a vote of 11 to 5. Voted "Do Pass with HCS No. 2" by the Standing Committee on Legislative Review by a vote of 6 to 3. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules-Administrative by a vote of 7 to 3.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute #2 for HJR 54.
Upon voter approval, this constitutional amendment prohibits the provision of reproductive health care to minors without the prior notification and informed consent of the minor child's parent or guardian, except for cases of medical emergency.
Additionally, the amendment declares that the health, safety, and welfare of women who are undergoing prenatal care, childbirth, perinatal and postpartum care, contraception, abortion, and care for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, as well as the health, safety, and welfare of women in the condition of giving birth, are legitimate and compelling governmental interests; that any law regulating, safeguarding, or securing such health, safety, and welfare shall be valid and enforceable in all cases, and unenforceable only if an aggrieved plaintiff is able to prove the law is not rationally related to a legitimate government interest; and that women receiving reproductive health care who suffer from injury or incur damages arising from negligence, breach of contract or breach of other duty, malpractice, a violation of the standards of care, professional or other misconduct, or intentional or criminal conduct by reproductive health care providers are to receive no less protection under the law than those receiving other types of health care.
The amendment clarifies that nothing in this Constitution shall be interpreted to require the public or private funding of any matter relating to reproductive health care.
Any action challenging the validity of any state law relating to reproductive health care is required to be brought in the Circuit Court of Cole County, Missouri.
This constitutional amendment includes a severability clause.
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the Standing Committee on Legislative Review hearing, which occurred on April 1, 2025. The testimony was based on the HCS version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this amendment seeks to clarify some of the unintended consequences that arose following the implementation of the 2024 vote on Amendment 3.
Testifying in person for the bill was Representative Stinnett.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that the amendment does not go far enough to protect life, and does not repeal Article I, Section 36 of the Mo. constitution.
Testifying in person against the bill was Susan Klein, Missouri Right to Life.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the Standing Committee on Children and Families hearing, which occurred on February 4, 2025. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that voters did not know the entirety of what they were voting on as it related to Amendment 3, including the freedom to abort an unborn child with Down's Syndrome or because of that unborn child's race or sex. The amendment was passed very narrowly and the process was flooded with dark money from out-of-state to present false information to voters. It is breathtakingly irresponsible to allow the feelings of children to dictate whether a person can change their gender. Medical malpractice is different than someone who would break their medical oath to protect unborn life.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Stinnett; Denise Gelina; Michael J Kern; Timothy Faber; Missouri Catholic Conference; Campaign Life Missouri; John Kreipe, Pony Express Chapter, Missouri Right To Life; Missouri Right To Life; Tina Goodrick; and Maryalice Williams.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that the people already voted on the issue, it is offensive to imply that no one knew what they were voting on, and that abortion is simply a health care procedure. Twelve weeks is not enough time to process being the victim of rape or incest, file a police report alleging that rape or incest, and find a physician who will perform the procedure.
Testifying in person against the bill were Donna Carrender; Evan Prost; Julie Ann Peterson; Justin E. Flowers; Kate Hopkins; Kim Hayes; Melanie Montambeault; Rachael Gay Cailliach; Raymond James; Sara Diane Boren; Cathleen Abrams; Jacob Kempen; Zack Wilson; Ellie Bledsoe, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action; Tori Schafer, ACLU of Missouri; Camryn Garey; Kendan Elliott; Melana Salisbury; Raymond James; Shannon Young; Susan Renee Carter; Abigeihl West, Abortion Action Mo; Alanna Kellogg; Ali Zadel; Alice-Ann Nix; Amanda Jensen; Angela Allard; Beth Spindler; Betsy Vanderheyden; Bruce A. Rogers; Carla Nieman; Collins F. Chetwin; Cynthia Berne; Denise Gelina; Denise Morgan-Irish; Desiree White; Diane L Light; Dr. Ene-Kaja Chippendale; Edward Bernard Jr.; Harriet Blickenstaff; J. E. Flowers; Jaeda Ruth; Jane Dicampo; Jay Augustine; Jeff Stack; Jess Piper; Julie Peterson; Kalynn Coy; Karen Postey; Karl Tray; Ken Denson; Abortion Action Missouri; Kimber Palmer; Leslie Ortbals; Lori Rooney; Lori Zucker; Marie Carlson; Nancy O'brien; Reagan Young; Sally J Altman; Sara Lewis; Stephen Perry; Valli Rae Herbold; Julia Carney; and Vivian Kane.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.