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HB 2160

Adds mifepristone to the list of Schedule IV controlled substances and establishes the offense of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Deanna Self and 1 co-sponsor

HB 2160 schedules mifepristone as a Schedule IV drug and creates a new offense for coerced abortion by fraud, tightening controls and penalties for abuse.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#abortion #crimesandpunishment #drugsandcontrolledsubstances #healthcare
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Bill Summary · HB 2160

Bill Summary: HB 2160 (Missouri, 2026)

Purpose and intent

HB 2160 adds mifepristone to Missouri’s Schedule IV controlled substances and creates a new offense named “coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud.” The bill appears aimed at regulating abortion-related medication and addressing cases where abortion services are obtained through fraudulent means, with criminal penalties for those who use fraud to obtain or facilitate an abortion.

Key provisions

  • Schedule IV listing:

    • Mifepristone would be added to Missouri’s Schedule IV controlled substances. This formalizes its status as a controlled substance under state law, with regulatory controls and potential penalties for improper possession, distribution, or use.

  • New criminal offense: coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud:

    • The bill creates a specific offense titled “coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud.” While the exact statutory language is not provided in the summary, the name indicates:
    • It targets situations where an individual is coerced into having an abortion through fraudulent actions or misrepresentation.
    • Potential elements likely include proving fraud intended to induce abortion, and the involvement of coercion to obtain an abortion against someone’s will.
    • Penalties, defenses, and procedural specifics would be defined in the bill’s text; the summary indicates a criminal approach to addressing fraudulent or coercive abortion practices.

Who would be affected

  • Medical and pharmaceutical actors:

    • Medical providers, clinics, and pharmacies handling mifepristone would be subject to new Schedule IV controls, affecting prescribing, dispensing, storage, and recordkeeping requirements.

  • Individuals seeking or assisting abortions:

    • Persons seeking abortion services could be implicated if fraud is used to obtain an abortion, or if there is coercion involved under the new offense.
    • Individuals who use fraud to obtain mifepristone or to facilitate an abortion may face criminal charges under the introduced offense.

  • Potentially broader entities:

    • Any party involved in distribution or promotion of mifepristone or related abortion services may be impacted by the scheduling and associated regulatory framework.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Referral and consideration timeline:

    • Prefiled on 2025-12-04.
    • Read First Time on 2026-01-07.
    • Read Second Time on 2026-01-08.
    • Referred to Emerging Issues(H) on 2026-05-15, indicating placement in a committee addressing broader or emerging concerns.

  • Sponsors:

    • Co-sponsors: Burt Whaley and Deanna Self.

Practical considerations and potential impact

  • Regulatory impact:

    • Scheduling mifepristone as a Schedule IV substance increases regulatory requirements for healthcare providers and distributors, potentially affecting access, prescribing practices, and compliance costs.

  • Criminal law impact:

    • The creation of a coerced abortion offense could lead to new criminal cases involving fraud and coercion related to abortion. The exact definitions, allowable defenses, and penalties will shape its enforcement and any unintended consequences.

  • Access and safety considerations:

    • Depending on how the scheduling interacts with existing medical guidelines and patient safety protections, there could be effects on access to abortion care and medication safety oversight.

If you would like, I can tailor this into a briefing for a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, healthcare providers, or public stakeholders) or pull in the bill’s exact statutory language once available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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