JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri House is advancing legislation to ban donation of fetal tissue from abortions.
House members in a voice vote Tuesday gave the legislation initial approval.
The bill was spurred by legislative investigations into abortion practices in the state following the release last year of undercover videos that anti-abortion activists said showed Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue.
Planned Parenthood denies wrongdoing. An investigation by Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster found no evidence of wrongdoing in Missouri.
The legislation also would establish a tracking system for fetal remains and require inspections of abortion clinics at least annually.
It needs a second vote in the House to move to the Senate.