Rep. Phil Amato (R – Arnold) of Missouri has proposed the implementation of a tracking system for women deemed “at risk of seeking an abortion”

HB 807, also known as the “Save MO Babies Act”, is yet another proposed piece of harmful legislature against women. If passed, this bill would mean the creation of a central registry “of each expecting mother who is at risk for seeking an abortion” in Missouri. The bill itself fails to detail how the state will determine what characterizes a woman who is “at risk” of seeking an abortion. Additionally, the bill would track “each prospective adoptive parent who has successfully completed certain screenings, background checks, home studies, and other investigations to ensure the fit of the prospective parent to adopt a child.” The Maternal and Child Services division of the Department of Social Services would create this list and be required to establish a “Missouri Adoptive Resources Services System” for the entire state. Amato has expressed confidence in the potential influence this bill could have on adoption reform legislation even beyond Missouri. If passed, the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2026. It would allow for the state to share information in the database with law enforcement in other states. This could include data about women’s menstrual cycles as seen with the Missouri health director, Dr. Randall Williams, who kept a spreadsheet on the periods of women in Missouri who had visited Planned Parenthood to identify patients who had undergone failed abortions. The bill raises urgent concerns about the monitoring of pregnant women. 

This type of drastic overreach further threatens access to abortion, violates the privacy of the 3.127 million women living in Missouri, and challenges reproductive rights in general. Only one legal abortion has occurred in Missouri since Amendment 3, last year’s abortion rights amendment which was approved by 53% of voters. Planned Parenthood is currently suing the state of Missouri, in hopes to restore abortion access and block restrictive laws, such as those targeting and imposing criminal penalties on abortion providers. Planned Parenthood officials stated that they would not restart abortions until after a judge rules on their lawsuit. It is crucial for people to be aware of the issues raised by this bill, and the potential impact legislation like this could have on the rest of the country.

By Julia Panos

Source: House Journal. 2025. “Missouri House of Representatives – Bill Information for HB807.” Mo.gov. 2025. https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB807.