Missouri Joins Anti-Abortion Wave With Eight-Week Ban (1)

The Missouri Legislature passed legislation outlawing abortion in almost all cases where no medical emergency is present.

The bill, H.B. 126, declares Missouri a “sanctuary of life” and creates a bright-line ban on abortions after eight weeks of gestational age. The bill also prohibits abortions based on the race or gender of the fetus or the possibility that it might have Down syndrome.

But the bill lacks an exception for abortions in cases of rape or incest, an omission that has provoked outrage from supporters of abortion rights.

The bill now moves to the desk of Gov. Mike Parson ...