House Bill 434 would protect women while also giving them the opportunity to learn about abortion operations and alternatives to the procedure.  However, opponents of the bill are concerned with the interpretation of the word coercion.  Representative Sara Lampe of Springfield fears parents would be in danger of committing a crime by trying to help their child.

"The parent of a young girl, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 year old girl who becomes pregnant needs to have the counsel of a parent and sometimes that could be perceived as being coercive," said Lampe.  "And in that event, it sets the parent up of possibly committing a felony.  I think that's inappropriate to create the type of law where it divides parents and children."

House Speaker Pro Tem Bryan Pratt hopes the information doctors provide at abortion clinics will help women make an easy decision.

"I think the goal of this bill is to give the patient information," said Pratt of Blue Springs.  "I want the doctor to give the patient all the information and let this mother make an informed decision. I think if a woman is confronted with all of the information, I think the woman will decide in many cases not to have an abortion. And I think that's a good thing because I think all of us, no matter where you're at on the spectrum of abortion, want to decrease the number of abortions in the state of Missouri."

The bill would make it a felony for doctors to perform an abortion when they know someone forced the woman into the operation.  The legislation would also allow the woman the opportunity to view an ultrasound and listen to the heartbeat 24 hours prior to the operation.

Yet Lampe says this bill does not belong in the House.

"We shouldn't be deciding this in the state legislature," said Lampe.  "This is a family matter. This is a religious matter, a private matter with that parent and that child."

Representatives approved the bill 115-41.  The legislation requires a second vote in the House before moving to the Senate.