Missouri judge again blocks many of the state's anti-abortion laws
[July 05, 2025]
By DAVID A. LIEB
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge blocked many of the state's
abortion restrictions Thursday, reimposing a preliminary injunction
against them just a little over a month after the state's highest court
had lifted a previous hold.
The order by Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang said the abortion
restrictions likely violate a state constitutional right to abortion
that was approved by voters last year.
Planned Parenthood said the order clears the way for it to again provide
procedural abortions in Missouri.
But Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said his office “will
expeditiously appeal this ruling.”
The court order marks the latest twist in a multiyear battle that has
seen Missouri swing back and forth between banning and allowing most
abortions.
When the U.S. Supreme Court ended a nationwide right to abortion by
overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, it triggered a Missouri law to take
effect banning abortions “except in cases of medical emergency." But
abortion-rights activists gathered initiative petition signatures to
reverse that law.
Last November, voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment
guaranteeing a right to abortion until fetal viability, generally
considered sometime past 21 weeks of pregnancy. That made Missouri the
only state where voters have used a ballot measure to overturn a ban on
abortion at all stages of pregnancy.

The state Supreme Court ruled in May that Zhang had applied the wrong
standard when issuing rulings in February and December that blocked
Missouri's abortion restrictions.
Upon reconsideration, Zhang again issued preliminary injunctions against
the abortion ban. The judge also reimposed a hold on various other laws,
including a 72-hour waiting period for abortions, numerous abortion
facility licensure requirements and a mandate that physicians performing
abortions have admitting privileges at certain types of hospitals
located within 30 miles (48 kilometers) or 15 minutes of where an
abortion is provided.
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People at an election night watch party react after an abortion
rights amendment to the Missouri constitution passed, Nov. 5, 2024,
in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
 “Abortion is legal again in Missouri
because voters demanded it and we fought for it,” said Emily Wales,
president and CEO of Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood
Great Plains. “Care starts again on Monday in Kansas City."
Planned Parenthood clinics in central Missouri and
St. Louis also "will work as quickly as possible to resume
scheduling abortion appointments,” said Margot Riphagen, president
and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers.
The attorney general's office said it will keep up the legal fight.
“Missouri will not stand idly by while the abortion industry seeks
to strip away basic medical safeguards,” Bailey's office said in a
statement. "We will continue to uphold the State’s compelling
interest in protecting women’s health, safety, and informed
consent.”
Thursday's order did not address medication abortions, which remain
on hold while Planned Parenthood wrangles with the state over
abortion regulations.
The court battle is just one part of Missouri's ongoing abortion
debate.
In May, the Republican-led Legislature approved a proposed
constitutional amendment that would reimpose an abortion ban — but
with exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. The
measure could be on the ballot in 2026 or sooner.
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