Missouri judge once more impedes regulations limiting abortion access
In a significant turn of events, Missouri has seen a shift in its abortion laws following a court order issued by Judge Jerri Zhang on Thursday. The judge's decision reinstates a preliminary injunction against several abortion restrictions in the state, effectively lifting the ban on procedural abortions.
The order comes after the voter-approved Amendment 3, passed in November 2024, enshrined a right to abortion in the Missouri Constitution. The legal battles that followed have focused on aligning existing state abortion laws with this constitutional right, with courts issuing and lifting injunctions that affect enforcement of abortion bans and restrictions.
The court order on Thursday blocks Missouri's abortion ban but does not eliminate all existing restrictions. Physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses are still prohibited from performing abortions, and requirements for the same physician and in-person visits remain in place.
Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, one of the providers affected by the ruling, has stated that they will work as quickly as possible to resume abortion services. The organization has also clarified that the order clears the way for it to again provide procedural abortions in Missouri.
The state's Attorney General, Andrew Bailey, has announced plans to expeditiously appeal this ruling. In a statement, his office emphasized the state's commitment to upholding medical safeguards and informed consent for women's health and safety.
The ongoing legal activity in Missouri is not a new development. The multiyear battle over abortion in the state has seen several twists and turns. In May 2025, the Missouri Supreme Court ended a ruling that had previously stopped enforcement of state abortion regulations. The court determined that the earlier preliminary injunction blocking abortion regulations was based on an incorrect legal standard.
Currently, a proposed constitutional amendment is being considered by the Republican-led Legislature. If passed, this amendment could potentially be on the ballot in 2026 or sooner, aiming to reimpose an abortion ban with exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest.
Emily Wales, president and CEO of Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, has expressed that abortion is legal again in Missouri due to voter demand and legal efforts. She emphasized that the restoration of abortion access is crucial for the health and wellbeing of Missourians.
With ongoing appeals and further legal developments expected, the situation in Missouri remains dynamic and subject to change. However, for now, Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City, central Missouri, and St. Louis will resume scheduling abortion appointments starting on Monday, making Missouri the only state where voters have used a ballot measure to overturn a ban on abortion at all stages of pregnancy.
[1] Source: ACLU and Planned Parenthood press releases, Missouri Supreme Court rulings, and local news reports.
- The decision reinstating a preliminary injunction against several abortion restrictions in Missouri, issued by Judge Jerri Zhang, has permitted the resumption of procedural abortions, marking them legal again in Missouri.
- The ongoing legal battles, which have seen numerous court rulings and injunctions, are seeking to align Missouri's abortion laws with the constitutional right to abortion, as enshrined by voter-approved Amendment 3 in 2024.
- Despite lifting the ban on procedural abortions, certain restrictions still apply in Missouri, such as the prohibition of physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses from performing abortions, and requirements for the same physician and in-person visits.
- As a response to the recent court order, the state's Attorney General, Andrew Bailey, has announced plans to expeditiously appeal, emphasizing the state's commitment to upholding medical safeguards and informed consent for women's health and safety.
