Missouri House Unanimously Approves Bill Removing Barriers to Divorce for Pregnant Women
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill with unanimous support that would remove a decades-old legal barrier preventing pregnant women from finalizing divorce proceedings. The legislation, HB1908, now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration, where similar proposals have already been discussed.
Currently, Missouri law allows pregnant women to *file* for divorce, but a judge has the discretion to prevent the divorce from being finalized until after childbirth. The bill passed by the House eliminates this provision, ensuring that pregnancy status cannot be used as a reason to delay or deny a divorce.
The vote was 147-0, demonstrating broad bipartisan support for the measure. Governor Mike Kehoe has publicly backed the legislation, initially requesting it be passed during his State of the State address.
Representative Cecelie Williams, a Republican from Dittmer, shared her personal experience on the House floor, recounting being denied a divorce from an abusive ex-husband. “To me, it seemed it was honestly easier for me to stay silent. But silence doesn’t end violence,” Williams said. She highlighted the bill’s necessity in various complex situations, including cases of infidelity where questions of paternity arise.
Williams explained that Missouri law presumes a husband is the legal father of a child born during the marriage, even if he is not the biological father. This can trap women in unwanted marriages, even when the child is not his. “If a spouse becomes pregnant by someone other than their husband, the law forces the husband to remain legally married,” she stated.
She also addressed scenarios where couples simply grow apart but are legally bound together due to pregnancy. “So, two adults who agree their marriage is over, are forced to remain legally bound, not for love, not for healing, not for the child, but because pregnancy has been turned into a barrier instead of a reality,” Williams said.
Representative Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, emphasized the importance of equal access to judicial processes. “A medical condition should not bar anybody from having access to all the judicial processes that everyone else has. And right now, in the state of Missouri, we do that, and it is no excuse for it, none,” Proudie said.
The issue gained momentum after reports surfaced detailing the struggles of women trapped in unwanted marriages due to the existing law. Synergy Services, a Kansas City-based domestic violence housing program, has frequently encountered cases where offenders strategically impregnate partners to maintain control and prevent divorce, according to reports.
While a similar bill passed the House in a previous legislative session, it ultimately stalled in the Senate. Advocates are hopeful that this year, with the Governor’s support and increased awareness of the issue, the legislation will successfully navigate both chambers and become law.
The bill’s passage in the House represents a significant step towards ensuring that pregnant women in Missouri have the same rights and access to legal recourse as all other citizens seeking to end their marriages.
