Kansas City, Missouri – A Jackson County judge struck down most of Missouri’s abortion regulations Thursday, opening the door for medication abortion access in the state for the first time since 2018.
Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang’s ruling makes permanent an earlier order blocking several state restrictions, including Missouri’s 72-hour waiting period, special licensing rules for abortion providers, a telemedicine ban requiring a physician to be physically present when abortion medication is taken, and hospital admitting-privilege requirements.
Zhang upheld two rules: a requirement that patients meet with a doctor in person before medication abortion and a requirement that only physicians perform abortions. Planned Parenthood said medication abortion appointments will begin next week in Kansas City and St. Louis, with Columbia appointments starting Wednesday.
The ruling follows Missouri voters’ 2024 approval of a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights up to fetal viability. Planned Parenthood and the ACLU argued the challenged regulations were designed to make abortion unavailable in practice, while the state said the rules were health and safety protections.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said she will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court. Voters will also consider a new abortion-related constitutional measure in November.
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