Overview

• Missouri law prohibits finalizing divorces if the wife is pregnant, aiming to address paternity and child support after the baby's birth.
• Rep. Ashley Aune introduced a bill to allow pregnant people to divorce or separate, potentially saving lives by preventing reproductive coercion.
• The law, in place since 1973 and amended in 2016, has been criticized for trapping victims of domestic violence in abusive marriages.
• Similar laws exist in Arizona, Arkansas, and Texas, but Missouri's strict stance has sparked significant debate.
• Critics argue the law is outdated and fails to protect women, especially in cases of domestic violence.