Missouri

2023 Missouri Revised Statutes | Title XII - Public Health and Welfare | Chapter 197 - Medical Treatment Facility Licenses

Section 197.032 - Hospitals and medical personnel may refuse abortions — no denial of public benefits for such refusal — civil action, when

1. No physician or surgeon, registered nurse, practical nurse, midwife or hospital, public or private, shall be required to treat or admit for treatment any woman for the purpose of abortion if such treatment or admission for treatment is contrary to the established policy of, or the moral, ethical or religious beliefs of, such physician, surgeon, registered nurse, midwife, practical nurse or hospital. No cause of action shall accrue against any such physician, surgeon, registered nurse, midwife, practical nurse or hospital on account of such refusal to treat or admit for treatment any woman for abortion purposes.

2. No person or institution shall be denied or discriminated against in the reception of any public benefit, assistance or privilege whatsoever or in any employment, public or private, on the grounds that they refuse to undergo an abortion, to advise, consent to, assist in or perform an abortion.

3. Any person who shall deny or discriminate against another for refusal to perform or participate in an abortion shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity or other redress.

Note: Definitions

[MO Rev Stat § 197.020 (2023)]

2. "Hospital" means a place devoted primarily to the maintenance and operation of facilities for the diagnosis, treatment or care for not less than twenty-four consecutive hours in any week of three or more nonrelated individuals suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity or other abnormal physical conditions; or a place devoted primarily to provide for not less than twenty-four consecutive hours in any week medical or nursing care for three or more nonrelated individuals. The term "hospital" shall include a facility designated as a rural emergency hospital by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The term "hospital" does not include convalescent, nursing, shelter or boarding homes as defined in chapter 198.

3. "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company or association and the legal successors thereof.