US EditionMissouri Enacts Law Allowing Divorces During Pregnancy
The law clears the way for pregnant spouses to finalize divorces, a change backed by survivors after courts often paused cases.
- On Tuesday, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed HB 1908, clarifying that pregnancy status cannot prevent courts from entering a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation.
- For decades, a 50-year-old law required couples to disclose pregnancy status, which often caused judges to delay divorce proceedings for pregnant spouses.
- State Representative Cecelie Williams sponsored the bill after sharing her own experience of being unable to finalize a divorce while pregnant, calling the signing her "personal Independence Day."
- Both the House and Senate passed the legislation unanimously, with co-sponsor Representative Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, joining the effort.
- During the same Tuesday ceremony, Kehoe signed two other bills, including SB 888, which increases penalties for juvenile offenders and allows older teenagers to be tried as adults for certain felonies.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Missouri Decides Pregnant Women Should Be Allowed to Leave Bad Marriages
On Tuesday, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed a new law that would make it easier for pregnant women to get a divorce. (Unfortunately, not through the Giulia Tofana way.) The law, HB 1908, specifically targets a state measure enacted in the 1970s, which has historically prevented courts from granting divorces to couples if one of them is pregnant. Missouri is one of four states (including Arkansas, Texas, and Arizona) that make it difficult f…
Missouri Allows Divorces During Pregnancy Under New Law
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — Missouri has changed a decades-old legal practice by allowing courts to finalize divorces even when one spouse is pregnant. Gov. Mike Kehoe signed legislation clarifying that pregnancy status cannot delay a dissolution of marriage or legal separation. The new law takes effect Aug. 28 and addresses a longstanding requirement that often postponed final judgments until after a child was born. The measure was sponsored by …
Gov. Mike Kehoe signs bills targeting crime, child protection and divorce laws - KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Mike Kehoe signed three bills into law Tuesday aimed at strengthening criminal penalties, protecting vulnerable individuals and updating family law provisions. The measures include Senate Bill 888 and House Bills 1908 and 2273, approved during a bill signing ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol. SB 888 modifies provisions related to the criminal justice system, including allowing greater record sharing among law e…
Missouri governor signs bill banning judges from delaying divorces when a spouse is pregnant
The measure, signed into law by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday, will modify a state measure enacted in the 1970s that became a barrier for pregnant spouses to obtain a divorce.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signs law clarifying divorce in pregnancy: ‘It hit home for me’
State Rep. Cecelie Williams speaks about legislation that clarifies the right to divorce while pregnant on Tuesday. She is flanked by Gov. Mike Kehoe and state Rep. Raychel Proudie (Steph Quinn/Missouri Independent).A bill making it clear that pregnancy cannot prevent a divorce from being finalized was signed into law Tuesday by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. While nothing precluded Missourians from filing for divorce while a party is pregnant, the …
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