Mike Kehoe on Tuesday signed into law a bill banning state judges from delaying divorce proceedings because a spouse is pregnant. The Republican governor first learned about how the original measure had impacted Williams’ life when they met last year and said he almost started crying at the time. Abuse – both verbal and physical – often worsens in pregnancy, according to infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes. Before HB 1908 was signed into law, Missouri was among a handful of states, including Texas, where divorce proceedings are frequently paused by judges during a spouse’s pregnancy. Kehoe signed two other bills Tuesday concerning the state’s juvenile criminal system and criminal penalties for child sex trafficking.

Source: CNN April 07, 2026 21:38 UTC