Missouri Enacts Law Allowing Divorces During Pregnancy
The new law takes effect Aug. 28 and ends a decades-old rule that could delay final divorce judgments for pregnant spouses.
- 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.
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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 …
Kehoe Signs Trio of Bills Targeting Crime, Family Law, and Child Protection
Governor Mike Kehoe signed three bills into law, Senate Bill 888 and House Bills 1908 and 2273, marking a significant step in Missouri’s efforts to strengthen public safety, modernize family law, and expand protections for vulnerable populations. Senate Bill 888, sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer and Rep. Brad Christ, represents one of the most comprehensive criminal justice measures passed this session. The legislation modifies a wide range of pro…
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