A Missouri judge is considering whether to suspend the state’s abortion ban following the voter-approved Amendment Three, which enshrines abortion access in the state constitution. Lawyers for Planned Parenthood and the state presented arguments Wednesday in front of Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang.
Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit shortly after the election to overturn the ban and related restrictions, citing the constitutional protections under Amendment Three. The organization seeks an immediate pause on the ban, aiming to resume abortion services as early as Friday.
Planned Parenthood argues the amendment clearly passed and will take effect at midnight Friday, making the ban unconstitutional. CEO Emily Wales emphasized the urgency, stating, “Every day Missourians are denied their constitutional rights, they are being denied critical care.”
State attorneys, however, contend that some restrictions, like the 72-hour waiting period and prohibitions on race-based abortions, should remain intact. Missouri Solicitor General Josh Divine criticized the lawsuit as overreaching, claiming it seeks to dismantle longstanding bipartisan regulations.
