By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House on Monday approved the Abortion Omnibus bill, which would provide more state control over abortion clinics and make major changes to sex education curriculum in Missouri's public schools.
It would bar Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers from teaching sex-ed in schools, while allowing schools to choose abstinence based curriculum.
"We're going to present students with information on contraceptives and pregnancy in a manner that teaches abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually-transmitted diseases and other associated health problems," said Rep. Therese Sander (R-Moberly), the legislation's sponsor.
Democrat Margaret Donnelly of St. Louis spoke against the bill just before it passed. "To limit them to abstinence, not just making it a priority, but to give a school board the ability to limit the information to abstinence is wrong, and it's cheating our young people," she said.
The bill now goes to the State Senate.