All Roll Calls
Yes: 202 • No: 0
MissouriHB19082026 Regular SessionHouse
Allows the court to enter a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation if a person is pregnant
Sponsored By: Brian Williams (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Court must decide custody and money
Before entering a divorce or separation judgment, the court decides child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and how to divide property, when it has jurisdiction. This ensures key care and money issues are settled in the final order.
Divorce allowed during pregnancy, with timing rules
The court can enter a divorce or legal separation even if a spouse is pregnant. To get a final judgment, one party must have lived in Missouri or been stationed here for 90 days, and at least 30 days must pass after filing. The petition must say if the wife is pregnant. Old defenses like condonation, collusion, and recrimination are abolished, which simplifies getting a judgment.
New parenting plan and custody rules
If your case involves custody or visitation, each parent must file a proposed parenting plan within 30 days. The plan must set schedules, who makes major decisions, child support, and who pays expenses like insurance, school, child care, and transport. If parents cannot agree or one does not file, the court enters a temporary plan after a hearing, and it does not create a final preference. When the case is filed, the child is under the court’s control, and parents may not move the child from the court’s area or from the primary parent from the last 60 days unless the court allows it. A parent having the child at filing does not get an automatic advantage. No parenting plan is required for a child over 18 unless the parties agree or the court orders one. The Missouri Supreme Court provides model parenting‑plan guidelines online.
Filing deadlines and SSN details required
If you are the respondent, you must file a sworn answer within 30 days of service to avoid default. Your answer must admit or deny claims, list the last four SSN digits for each party and child, and state your requests on custody, support, and maintenance. Final judgments must show the last four SSN digits for each party. Courts keep the full SSNs for each party and child and each child’s date of birth under section 509.520.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Brian Williams
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Ann Kelley
Republican • House
Anthony Ealy
Democratic • House
Bill Irwin
Republican • House
Bill Lucas
Republican • House
Bob Titus
Republican • House
Brad Banderman
Republican • House
Brian Seitz
Republican • House
Burt Whaley
Republican • House
Christopher Warwick
Republican • House
Colin Wellenkamp
Republican • House
Danny Busick
Republican • House
David Dolan
Republican • House
Deanna Self
Republican • House
Ed Lewis
Republican • House
George Hruza
Republican • House
Jeff Hales
Democratic • House
Jeff Vernetti
Republican • House
John Hewkin
Republican • House
Mark Boyko
Democratic • House
Marla Smith
Democratic • House
Marty Joe Murray
Democratic • House
Matthew Overcast
Republican • House
Melanie Stinnett
Republican • House
Mike Jones
Republican • House
Ray Reed
Democratic • House
Ron Fowler
Republican • House
Tricia Byrnes
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/10/2026
Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed
Yes: 29 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
Third Read and Passed
Yes: 147 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
Reported Do Pass
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 1/27/2026
HCS Reported Do Pass
Yes: 16 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Delivered to Secretary of State (G)
4/7/2026Approved by Governor (G)
4/7/2026Delivered to Governor
3/24/2026Signed by President Pro Tem
3/24/2026SenateSigned by House Speaker
3/24/2026HouseSenate Message
3/10/2026SenateTruly Agreed To and Finally Passed - AYES: 29 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
3/10/2026Taken Up for Third Reading
3/10/2026SenateReported Do Pass
3/9/2026SenateVoted Do Pass
3/9/2026SenateExecutive Session Held
3/9/2026SenatePublic Hearing Held
3/9/2026SenatePublic Hearing Scheduled - Monday, March 9, 2026, 2:30 p.m., SCR 1 - 1st Floor
3/6/2026SenateSecond read and referred: Families, Seniors and Health
2/26/2026SenateReported to the Senate and First Read
2/17/2026SenateThird Read and Passed - AYES: 147 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
2/12/2026HouseTaken Up for Third Reading
2/12/2026HousePerfected
2/10/2026HouseHCS Adopted
2/10/2026HouseTitle of Bill - Agreed To
2/10/2026Taken Up for Perfection
2/10/2026HouseReported Do Pass - AYES: 10 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
2/3/2026HouseVoted Do Pass
2/3/2026HouseExecutive Session Completed
2/3/2026HouseReferred: Rules - Administrative
1/27/2026House
Bill Text
Truly Agreed
3/10/2026
Perfected
2/10/2026
Committee Substitute
1/27/2026
Introduced
1/7/2026
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