Along with giving final approval to the state’s operating budget Wednesday night, the Missouri Senate passed legislation regarding artificial intelligence regulation and children “born alive” during attempted abortion procedures.
Senate Bill 999, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, otherwise known as the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” requires medical professionals to provide care to any child born alive during an abortion procedure. Under this legislation, attempting to kill a born-alive infant could qualify a person for first-degree murder.
A born-alive abortion occurs when the fetus shows signs of life after an attempted abortion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these cases make up a fraction of abortions and are extremely rare. Out of 9.3 million abortion procedures conducted from 2003 to 2014, around 143 infants were born alive.
Before the Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday, Senate Democrats filibustered to express their dissent. On Wednesday, concerns were still raised by some Republican senators, even after a long day of budgeting. Dissenting Republicans argued that the bill could be challenged in court for violating the one-subject rule, which requires all changes implemented in a piece of legislation to be related to the same topic.
Some of the dissenting Republicans agreed with the underlying premise of the bill but worried that potential court challenges could sink the legislation.
“I’m reluctantly voting against a pro-life bill,” Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, said. “I think that this is a bill that is going to waste resources in the attorney general’s office.”
Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, echoed that sentiment, arguing that the bill violates the Constitution.
“The underlying bill is a good bill,” Moon said. “I’ve consistently voted against bills that appeared to violate the Constitution and ultimately the oath I swore to uphold.”
Despite four Republicans joining the chamber’s 10 Democrats, the bill was passed in an 18-14 vote.
This bill is part of a larger discussion in Missouri. Republicans have long championed anti-abortion legislation, including the nation’s first trigger law banning abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned. In the 2024 general elections, a constitutional amendment was placed on the ballots and approved by 51.6% of voters, legalizing abortion in the state.
But in November, Missourians will again vote on a constitutional amendment passed by the General Assembly last May, which, if approved by voters, would reverse many of the protections voters approved in 2024.
AI bill
Although it did not receive debate on floor, Senate Bill 1012, sponsored by Joe Nicola, R-Grain Valley, was passed in a 20-10 vote. This bill mandates that AI cannot gain legal personhood and declares AI a non-sentient entity. Among other limitations, this bill means AI cannot be recognized as a spouse or domestic partner, and cannot hold a position of power in state departments, corporations or any legal entity.
Operators of companion chatbots would be required to make annual reports to the Department of Mental Health about instances and interactions of a user exhibiting suicidal ideation under the bill. The Director for the Department of Mental Health would additionally prepare a report analyzing all information reported under this legislation.
Additionally, this bill mandates that agencies must disclose when they are using AI. This same standard of transparency applies to advertisements for political campaigns on TV, radio or print.
Language in the bill notes that the intent of this bill is not to prohibit or restrict the use of AI as a tool in a professional setting, and these policies only apply to a licensed professional providing regulated services. Some examples of regulated services include accountants, architects, professional counselors, psychologists and physicians, among others.
Both bills were sent to the House Thursday morning.