Timeline of abortion actions taken in the state of Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The state of Missouri has taken multiple actions over the last nearly 15 years through the state legislature to end abortions.
A timeline of abortion action taken in Missouri since the Roe V Wade decision in 1973.
In 2007, the Missouri governor signed a bill into law limiting the action abortion centers can take. It also reduces the window in which a woman could get the procedure.
That triggered a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood. The state ultimately settled in 2010 under the condition that abortion clinics can operate under some restrictions.
Then, a Texas case brought to the Supreme Court challenging similar rules was ruled unconstitutional inspiring a new round of legal battles spanning from 2016 to 2018.
Then in 2019, the Missouri legislature passed two separate bills.
One banned abortions starting at eight weeks. A federal court blocked it from going into law but in 2021, an appeals court agreed to hear the case again. A decision on that has yet to be announced.
The other bill made abortions performed outside of 22 weeks of pregnancy illegal unless considered a medical necessity.
That law also includes a 'trigger' policy that would effectively ban abortions statewide if the supreme court overturned roe.
TIMELINE
1973 - Abortion was legalized in Missouri after the Roe v. Wade decision
July 6, 2007 - Gov. Matt Blunt signs HB 1055, which modified provisions relating to abortion. The act changed the definition of “ambulatory surgical center” (ASC) to include "any establishment operated for the purpose of performing or inducing any second or third-trimester abortions or at least five or more first-trimester abortions per month." Effective date: August 28, 2007.
August 20, 2007 - Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri sues over the new rules.
July 1, 2010: Comprehensive Health and Missouri settle lawsuit.
June 2016: U.S. Supreme Court rules that ASC and admitting privileges are unconstitutional because they create an “undue burden” for women seeking abortions.
Nov. 30, 2016: Comprehensive Health and Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis Region sue over ambulatory surgical center requirements (lawsuit here).
April 2017: Judge blocks ASC requirements from taking effect.
May 2017: Josh Hawley appeals the ruling, leading to 19 months of court proceedings.
May 29, 2019: Missouri Leg. passes the‘ Right to Unborn Child Act’, making abortions performed outside of 22 weeks illegal unless performed during a medical emergency. The 2019 law also includes a "trigger" that bans abortion statewide if Roe is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
ALSO IN 2019: Parson signed a bill that would ban abortions starting at eight weeks of pregnancy. No exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. This was blocked by a federal judge in 2019.
2021: Appeals court upheld a judge's 2019 ruling, but agreed to hear it again. Verdict still not announced.
