Coercion would soon be a crime

Intro: Some Missouri senators are pushing legislation that would make abortion proceedures more transparent and influence those seeking to receive one.

Nathan Higgins has more from Jefferson City.

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The bill would require women to get an ultrasound, then wait 24 hours before making their ultimate decision.

Bill sponsor, Stoddard County Republican Senator Rob Mayer says the bill would reduce the number of abortions in Missouri.

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Description: The most effective way to protect unborn children and keep women from being wounded for life is to ensure that women facing unplanned pregnancies receive factual information concerning their decision.

In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Monday, opponents said the bill would actually have unintended consequences of hurting women.

The bill would also make it illegal to force a woman to get an abortion against her will.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Nathan Higgins.

Intro: Supporters of an anti-abortion bill say it would protect and respect women by making them more informed about the abortion proceedure.

Nathan Higgins has more from Jefferson City.

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The anti-abortion bill would make it a crime to influence women to get an abortion against their will.

The bill would also make information about the abortion process more readily availiabe to women.

In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Monday, Cindy Evans testified in support of the bill, saying she regrets making the decision to have two abortions.

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Description: I just came to realize that I had not been given any information and that I had been sold an abortion. And, I would just like to ask you a question: When have you ever made a choice without any kind of information?

A Planned Parenthood spokesperon opposed the bill saying women have enough information to make an informed decision and if clinics suspect coersion, they turn patients away.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Nathan Higgins.

Intro: Opponents to an anti-abortion bill say they're worried about the rights and lives of pregnant women.

Nathan Higgins has more from Jefferson City.

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The bill would tighten abortion laws, making it illegal to force a woman to get an abortion.

Opponent to the bill Reverend Rebecca Turner says legislators need to look at the context of eliminating coercion and focus on the external risks women face.

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Description: The number one cause of death among pregnant women is murder. Murder by someone they know. So we should be very concerned about the rights of pregnant women.

During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Monday night, supporters said they would like to see the number of Missouri abortions decrease.

Supporters say the bill component requiring women to have an ultrasound before getting an abortion would change the woman's mind.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Nathan Higgins.