Missouri is one of just a handful of states where women aren’t legally allowed to get divorced while pregnant.
Under current state law, a child has to be born before paternity can be confirmed and child-related orders can be settled.
Missouri State Rep. Ashley Aune, who introduced a bill earlier this month to undo the legislation, said the statute is supposed to ensure single mothers receive child support.
However, the law can also keep people in domestic violence situations from being able to leave their abuser, said Aune, who represents parts of Kansas City's Northland.
“If we are living in a state where we are forcing women to carry pregnancies to term, then we need to make sure that they have an opportunity to escape a bad situation if they're in one,” she told KCUR’s Up To Date on Monday.
- Rep. Ashley Aune, Missouri House District 14
