Missouri Supreme Court ends injunction on abortion laws, sending matter back to local judge
Matthew Sanders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday ended a ruling that stopped the enforcement of state abortion regulations, telling a Jackson County judge to try again.
The ruling says 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 is overseeing a Jackson County case filed by abortion advocates who say state laws violate Amendment 3.
Decision on Amendment 3 injunctionDownload
The court’s order on Tuesday sends the case back to Jackson County for Zhang to reevaluate the injunction.
Voters approved Amendment 3, which enshrines abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution, in November. The lawsuit claims that laws remaining on the books create undue regulatory burdens on abortion providers in violation of Amendment 3.
Lawmakers have approved a ballot question to overturn Amendment 3. It will appear on a ballot in 2026.
The legal fight over abortion led to large protests outside the Missouri Capitol after the legislative session ended early this month.
Planned Parenthood leadership in Missouri said in a statement that the ruling puts the state back under a “de facto abortion ban” that will have “devastating” consequences.
A news release from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office called the decision a “win for the rule of law, women’s health and unborn life.”
Mallory Schwarz, director of Abortion Action Missouri, said the decision creates confusion for women who need abortions.
“I think that was entirely the point that anti-abortion politicians, including Attorney General Andrew Bailey had set out to undermine the will of the people at every opportunity.”
Abortion opponent Samuel Lee, director of Campaign Life Missouri, said the decision was a step in the right direction.
“We think this is a good sign that the Missouri Supreme Court is going to scrutinize what these lower court judges are doing, but I think voters will also have an opportunity in November of next year with this new proposal that will be on the ballot to allow for reasonable restrictions on abortion,” Lee said.