Missouri Supreme Court Reinstates Abortion Restrictions, Imposes De Facto Ban

The Missouri Supreme Court has ordered a Jackson County judge to vacate and reevaluate her rulings that had allowed abortions to resume after voters overturned the state's abortion ban in November 2024. This ruling effectively reinstates longstanding abortion restrictions and health and safety regulations, halting abortion access in Missouri until further legal developments, including a potential trial in 2026. Planned Parenthood promptly canceled abortion appointments, with its leaders condemning the decision as a rollback of reproductive rights despite voter approval. Attorney General Andrew Bailey praised the ruling as a victory for medical safety and the sanctity of life, emphasizing the need for abortion providers to comply with state laws on consent, sanitation, provider qualifications, and emergency protocols. Meanwhile, abortion rights advocates, including the Missouri ACLU, view this as a temporary setback and expect further legal challenges to restore abortion access. The ruling underscores the ongoing legal and political struggle over abortion rights in Missouri, with significant implications for women's healthcare and state regulatory authority.