The Missouri Supreme Court on May 27 overturned a pair of lower court rulings that had blocked the state’s abortion restrictions, effectively halting abortions again in the state. After voters narrowly approved Amendment 3 in November, Kansas City Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang issued injunctions against Missouri’s abortion ban and safety requirements for abortion providers in December and again in February.
In its procedural ruling, the state’s high court stated that the lower court used the wrong standard for granting a preliminary injunction. As a result, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered Judge Jerri Zhang to review Planned Parenthood’s request for a preliminary injunction using the correct standard, opening the door for Missouri’s pro-life laws to be blocked again at a later date. However, with the state’s health and safety standards back in effect, Planned Parenthood announced that it was halting abortions at its Missouri locations.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey celebrated the Court’s ruling in a statement, saying that it was “a win for women and children and sends a clear message – abortion providers must comply with state law regarding basic safety and sanitation requirements.”
In a statement to OSV News, Missouri Catholic Conference Executive Director Jamie Morris expressed his happiness that Missouri’s pro-life laws would remain in effect for the time being. “These laws include common sense health and safety regulations, including basic cleanliness standards for abortion clinics,” Morris said. “While we know that another injunction may ultimately be issued, we are thankful that Missouri women will be protected from an unregulated abortion industry in the immediate term.”
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