A Missouri judge on December 20 temporarily struck down several pro-life laws as unconstitutional, legalizing abortion in the state. Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang blocked Missouri’s near-total abortion ban, along with the gestational age bans at eight, fourteen, eighteen, and twenty weeks, and the “reasons” ban, which prohibits abortions conducted because of the race, sex, or Down syndrome diagnosis of the unborn child.
These laws had been challenged by Planned Parenthood as unconstitutional after Missouri voters narrowly approved Amendment 3 which added a broad right to “reproductive freedom” in the state constitution.
Among the other laws blocked by Judge Zhang were the state’s informed consent requirement, the 72-hour waiting period for an abortion, the requirement that a physician be physically present while a patient takes the abortion pill, and the requirement that abortion providers have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in case there are complications.
However, Planned Parenthood has not resumed abortions in the state as Judge Zhang did allow some health and safety regulations to remain in effect:
- The requirement that a patient’s first appointment be in person to confirm the gestational age (for purposes of determining whether the use of the abortion pill is appropriate) and to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
- The requirement that abortions can only be performed by physicians.
- Licensing standards for abortion clinics.
Because these requirements remain in place, Planned Parenthood has scrapped its plan to immediately begin providing abortions in the state.
Judge Zhang’s order is temporary until a full trial takes place.