A Jackson County judge on July 3 once again blocked nearly all of Missouri’s abortion safety regulations, allowing abortions to resume in the state. Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang, for the third time, issued an order stating that the abortions rights amendment approved by voters in November overrode nearly all Missouri abortion regulations, including facility licensing requirements, informed consent requirements, and the requirement that abortion doctors have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in case of a medical emergency.
Judge Zhang had issued similar orders in December and February. However, those orders were struck down by the Missouri Supreme Court on procedural grounds in May.
On Monday, Attorney General Andrew Bailey once again filed an appeal of Judge Zhang’s order. “We respectfully but firmly disagree with the Court’s decision to once again block basic health and safety regulations, just weeks after the Supreme Court reinstated them,” said Attorney General Bailey. “These requirements were designed to ensure that women receive care in sanitary conditions from qualified professionals, with emergency safeguards in place. My Office has expeditiously appealed this ruling. Missouri will not stand idly by while the abortion industry seeks to strip away basic medical safeguards.”
Attorney General Bailey’s full statement can be found here.