HB 1908 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Allows the court to enter a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation if a person is pregnant

HB 1908 ensures Missouri courts can grant a divorce (dissolution of marriage) or legal separation even if one party is pregnant. The bill explicitly states that pregnancy status does not prevent a court from entering such a judgment, removing any prior barrier. Courts must still meet standard requirements, including residency, the marriage being irretrievably broken (for divorce) or not (for legal separation), and arrangements for children and property. This change directly affects individuals in Missouri family court cases involving pregnancy who seek divorce or legal separation.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Dec 1, 2025 Signed Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Committee Substitute → Perfected · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill's status was updated from a draft version to its final, perfected form, confirming it is ready for the next legislative stage. The document number was changed to reflect this perfected status, and the explanatory notes regarding bracketed text were adjusted to align with the final version.

TECHNICAL

The bill's header was updated to show it is now 'PERFECTED' rather than a 'HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE', indicating the text has been finalized and approved by the committee.

The document reference number was changed from '5478H.02C' to '5478H.02P' to reflect the perfected status of the bill.

The explanatory notes at the bottom were slightly adjusted to clarify that matter in bold-faced brackets is not enacted and matter in bold-face type is proposed language, consistent with the final text.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor (G)

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed - AYES: 29 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass (S)

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Voted Do Pass (S)

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

Second read and referred: Families, Seniors and Health(S)

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 147 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCS Adopted (H)

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 10 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Committee

Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 16 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCS Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 8, 2026

Committee

Referred: Children and Families(H)

lower

Dec 1, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled (H)

lower

1 primary · 27 co-sponsors