House committees continued work this week on legislation spanning health care, public safety, education, elections, and taxation. Below is a summary of key measures considered, along with updates on legislation I have introduced this session.

Health Care and Abortion

House committees heard HB 1667 and HB 2294, which would establish the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. These bills require that a child born alive during or following an abortion or attempted abortion be afforded the same legal rights and medical care as any other live-born child.

The legislation requires health care providers present at the time of birth to provide appropriate medical care, ensure transport to a hospital when necessary, and report violations to law enforcement. The measures include criminal penalties for intentional acts resulting in the death of a child born alive, as well as civil liability provisions allowing causes of action for personal injury or wrongful death under specified circumstances. Natural and spontaneous pregnancy loss prior to fetal viability is explicitly excluded from the definition of abortion.

Gender Transition Procedures and Athletic Eligibility

The House Committee on Emerging Issues heard HB 2033, HB 1854, HB 1672, and HB 1608, which address health care restrictions related to gender transition procedures for minors. These bills would repeal existing expiration dates on prohibitions against prescribing or administering puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones for individuals under the age of 18. Several measures establish timelines after which prescriptions issued prior to August 28, 2023, would no longer be considered valid.

In addition, HB 1663, HB 1973, and HB 1607 address student participation in school athletic competitions. These bills would remove the current expiration date on existing law limiting participation in athletics based on a student’s biological sex as indicated on the student’s birth certificate, with limited exceptions.

Public Safety and Law

Committees considered HB 2358 and HB 2889, which address the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing death. HB 2358 would expand the offense to include cases in which a person delivers or distributes a controlled substance knowing it is mixed with another controlled substance, including conduct occurring outside Missouri that would constitute the offense if committed in-state. HB 2889 would remove the requirement that a person know the substance was mixed for the offense to apply.

HB 2498 would make several changes to juvenile justice procedures. The bill modifies fingerprinting requirements, expands reporting to the central repository, authorizes courts to hold hearings to determine whether a juvenile should be certified to stand trial as an adult, and requires consultation between juvenile officers and prosecutors in appropriate cases. It also expands access to certain juvenile records for criminal justice agencies and establishes new penalties for adults or guardians who knowingly or recklessly encourage repeat criminal behavior by juveniles.

HB 1908 and HB 2337 would clarify that pregnancy status may not prevent a court from entering a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation.

Elections and Voting Procedures

HB 1871 would reinstate Missouri’s presidential preference primary election and establish administrative timelines and procedures for conducting the election, with costs paid by the State. The bill expands in-person no-excuse absentee voting, adjusts candidate filing periods, modifies voting equipment testing timelines, expands the use of provisional ballots, and updates election-day procedures.

Additional provisions include confidentiality protections for certain absentee ballot applicant lists, changes affecting federal and absentee voters, increased distance requirements for electioneering near polling places, and updated guidance for local election authorities.

Phelps & Maries County Day at the Capitol

Phelps & Maries County Day at the Capitol will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The event is hosted by State Senator Justin Brown and State Representatives Tara Peters and Bennie Cook.

Residents, local leaders, students, and organizations are invited to the Capitol to tour the building, meet with elected officials, and engage directly in the legislative process. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Representative Bennie Cook at bennie.cook@house.mo.gov or by calling 573-751-2264.