FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 691

92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES WILSON (25), SAGER, JONES, GRAHAM, CARNAHAN,

WALTON, FRASER, PAGE, LOWE, DONNELLY (Co-sponsors), WILSON (42), HARRIS (23), SKAGGS,

WALKER, CAMPBELL, ADAMS, BISHOP, HAYWOOD, WILDBERGER, HOSKINS, BLAND,

JOHNSON (90), HUBBARD, SANDERS BROOKS, HILGEMANN, JOHNSON (61),

ABEL AND THOMPSON.

         Read 1^st time March 19, 2003, and copies ordered printed.

STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk

1717L.02I

AN ACT

To amend chapter 191, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to emergency contraception.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 191, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 191.715, to read as follows:

            191.715. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Woman's Right To Know Act".

            2. For purposes of this section, "emergency birth control" means contraceptive methods that can be used by women within seventy-two hours of intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

            3. The division of maternal, child, and family health within the department of health and senior services shall endeavor to raise public awareness and promote appropriate counseling and referrals for emergency birth control by informing hospitals, health care providers, pharmacists, and the community. The division shall develop and distribute information that stresses the availability of emergency birth control, its use and safety, and its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy if taken as soon as possible within seventy-two hours of intercourse.