51黑料

On a voice vote with no dissent, the Missouri House gave initial approval to legislation prohibiting pregnancy status from preventing a judge from entering a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation.

Supporters said the move, which needs one more vote in the House before it moves to the Senate, will end the practice of women being stuck in violent marriages to risk their lives for the duration of a pregnancy simply because of an archaic law.

鈥淪he can file for divorce but she can鈥檛 finalize a divorce,鈥� said Rep. Cecelie Williams, R-Dittmer, who is sponsoring the legislation.

The current law is intended to guarantee child support for the mother and the child.

Under the current state law, there are eight questions asked of people when they file for divorce in Missouri, including whether 鈥渢he wife is pregnant.鈥� If so, the divorce can continue if the attorney chooses but it cannot be finalized until the woman is no longer pregnant, according to previous reporting.

Williams said she is a domestic abuse survivor, who survived physical and mental assaults, including being hit with a baseball bat at home in front of her children.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a lifeline for women who are forced to stay in marriages because they were pregnant,鈥� Williams said.

She said the law barring divorce while being pregnant made her feel unsafe. In addition, she said some women may choose to terminate a pregnancy.

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, who sponsored the legislation last year, said the measure is not just for women.

鈥淗aving access to the courts is so important,鈥� Aune said.

鈥淓very citizen should have access and a right to every judicial process, medical condition notwithstanding鈥� added Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not our business.鈥�

Arizona, Arkansas and Texas have laws similar to Missouri鈥檚, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

The legislation is Hous