1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I urge you to strongly oppose HB807 (Amato), HB1103 (Mayhew), and HB1579 (Amato), the “Save MO Babies Act,” which threatens the privacy, autonomy, and dignity of Missourians under the guise of promoting adoption and reducing abortions. This bill is a dangerous overreach that weaponizes government systems to surveil and control pregnant individuals, while undermining the will of Missouri voters who enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution through Amendment 3 . 1. The “At-Risk” Registry Is Invasive and Unethical The bill’s central registry of pregnant individuals “at risk for seeking abortion”, which the bill sponsor referred to as "eHarmony for Babies" lacks clear criteria for determining “risk,” opening the door to arbitrary profiling and discrimination . While proponents claim participation is voluntary, HB807 and HB1103 do not explicitly state this. HB1589 states the registry is voluntary but its vague language risks coercing vulnerable individuals into a surveillance system. Worse, the registry allows data sharing with law enforcement agencies—even those outside Missouri—which could lead to criminalizing pregnancy outcomes or targeting individuals seeking reproductive care . This echoes Missouri’s history of tracking patients’ menstrual cycles, a practice condemned as invasive and unconstitutional . 2. The Bills Prioritize Anti-Abortion Politics Over Real Support Rather than addressing systemic barriers like healthcare access or economic instability, this bill funnels resources into a bureaucratic system that pressures pregnant people into adoption. It ignores the reality that abortion restrictions disproportionately harm low-income, rural, and marginalized communities. Missouri already forces patients to travel out-of-state for care due to its draconian laws, yet this bill doubles down on punitive measures instead of expanding support for families. 3. Privacy and Safety Risks Are Unacceptable The registry’s lack of robust data protections exposes sensitive health information to potential breaches or misuse. Even with claims of confidentiality, the bill’s provisions for sharing records with law enforcement and third-party contractors create avenues for abuse . No one should fear that seeking pregnancy resources could result in surveillance or coercion. True support for pregnant individuals requires affordable healthcare, paid family leave, and childcare—not a registry that treats them as subjects to be monitored. Missouri’s existing child welfare system struggles with foster care and adoption services; diverting $32 million annually to this flawed initiative wastes resources that could directly aid families . These bills are dangerous escalation in Missouri’s campaign to control reproductive choices. They violate privacy, perpetuate stigma, and disregard the electorate’s mandate for bodily autonomy. I urge lawmakers to reject these bills and focus on policies that genuinely support families—not surveil them.