Overview
- HB 1908, which Kehoe signed Tuesday, bars judges from holding up a divorce or legal separation because a spouse is pregnant and takes effect Aug. 28, 2026.
- The measure passed the House and Senate without a dissenting vote after sponsorship by Reps. Cecelie Williams and Raychel Proudie and Sen. Jill Carter.
- For decades, a 1970s disclosure rule about pregnancy led many Missouri judges to wait until after birth to issue a final decree.
- Supporters say the change helps people leave abusive partners, citing March of Dimes research that abuse often starts or worsens in pregnancy and that homicide is a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths.
- Missouri was previously one of a small number of states, including Texas, where judges commonly paused divorces during a pregnancy.