( KTRS ) Newly proposed Missouri legislation would make it a crime for women to use drugs while pregnant.

Rep. Jered Taylor, a Republican from Nixa, says his bill is intended to get women into treatment before they give birth. He says the bill would push offenders into drug court, where their sentences would be deferred if they completed treatment.

Farah Diaz-Tello is a spokeswoman for National Advocates for Pregnant Women. She says threatening pregnant women with legal penalties could drive them away from seeking health care.

Missouri’s legislative session starts Wednesday.