Counseling Ban/Gag Rule

No public funds may be used to provide abortion counseling unless necessary to preserve the woman's life.  Mo. Ann. Stat. § 188.205 (Enacted 1986).

No funds for insurance and services for uninsured children may be used to counsel or refer for abortion unless the procedure is necessary to preserve the woman's life or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.  No person or organization that counsels or refers for abortion, unless necessary to preserve the woman's life or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, may receive funds under the Children's Health Insurance Program.  Mo. Ann. Stat. § 208.631 (Enacted 1998; Last Amended 2002), § 208.655 (Enacted 1998).

No funds expended under the Missouri Alternatives to Abortions Services program or the Missouri Alternatives to Abortion Public Awareness program may be used to provide, assist in, or refer for abortion services.  None of these funds shall be granted to organizations or affiliates of organizations that provide, assist in, or refer for abortion services.  Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 188.325, .335 (Enacted 2007).

In addition, no genetic diagnostic evaluations, treatment, and counseling services provided by the department of health through contracts with tertiary genetic centers may refer for abortion, unless necessary to preserve a woman's life.  Mo. Ann. Stat. § 191.320 (Enacted 1985).

No public funds appropriated to the Life Sciences Research Trust Fund may be used to counsel or refer for abortion services unless necessary to preserve a woman's life.  Mo. Ann. Stat. §§ 196.1100, .1127 (Enacted 2003).