"Pregnancy status shall not prevent the court from entering a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation. The new law also prohibits judges from delaying any proceedings if one of the spouses is pregnant."
"Cecelie Williams, who sponsored the bill, stated that the previous policy is 'pro-life' because it forces pregnant women in unhappy marriages to consider abortion as their only escape."
"State Rep. Ashley Aune introduced a similar bill in 2023 but faced resistance, stating, 'Unfortunately, it didn't make it to the floor until a woman in our body had a personal experience and shared her personal trauma.'"
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed HB 1908, allowing pregnant women to divorce without disclosing their pregnancy status. Previously, a 1970s law restricted divorces for pregnant individuals. The bill, sponsored by Cecelie Williams, aims to empower women in unhappy marriages, preventing them from feeling abortion is their only option. The law prohibits judges from delaying divorce proceedings due to pregnancy. A similar bill was introduced by Democrat Ashley Aune in 2023 but was dismissed until Williams shared her personal experience, highlighting the need for change in the law.
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