Injunction blocks Missouri’s abortion ban again; some previous restrictions remain
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Jackson County Judge has granted an injunction that once again OK’s abortion care under Missouri law.
Voters this past November approved Amendment 3 and along with it a right to an abortion. In May, Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday ended a ruling that stopped the enforcement of state abortion regulations.
The ruling in May determined that Judge Jerri Zhang applied the wrong legal standard when she approved a preliminary injunction in December 2024 to block the enforcement of state laws while the case is litigated.
Zhang on Thursday ruled that the “threat of irreparable harm is especially apparent in the context of abortion care” and that language from Missouri’s previous total abortion ban “is directly at odds with Amendment 3.”
The injunction blocks the abortion ban, doesn’t get rid of all restrictions presented by the state, including a stipulation barring physician's assistants and advanced practice registered nurses from performing the procedure, as well as the “same physician” and in-person visit requirements.
The ACLU and Planned Parenthood supported the decision.
““While the clarification on the standard is welcome, its immediate consequence temporarily pulled back implementation of Missourians’ constitutional right to access abortion care and providers’ right to offer that care,” Gillian Wilcox, Director of Litigation at the ACLU of Missouri, said in a press release. “This critical win begins to restore abortion access in our state, but Missourians must be vigilant and defeat the attacks on the constitutional rights that we secured at the ballot box last November.”
“Abortion is legal again in Missouri because voters demanded it and we fought for it,” Emily Wales, president and CEO, Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said in a statement. “Care starts again on Monday in Kansas City. We’re not stopping until every Missourian can get the care they need, close to home.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote on his social media that he intends to appeal the decision.
Check back for updates.
