The Missouri Supreme Court today issued a ruling that could reinstate the state’s abortion safety standards — previously blocked by a lower court—by requiring the case to be reevaluated under a stricter legal standard.

The decision effectively blocked abortions in Misosuri, with no abortion businesses able to meet the basic standards, and babies will be protected for now.

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The Court’s decision ordered Judge Jerri Zhang of the 16th Circuit to vacate her earlier rulings from December 2024 and February 2025, which had allowed abortions to temporarily resume in the state following the passage of Amendment 3. The Missouri Supreme Court found that Judge Zhang had applied the incorrect legal standard and emphasized that challenges to duly enacted state laws must demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits.

“This is a significant moment for women and children in Missouri,” said Brian Westbrook, Executive Director of Coalition Life, a sidewalk counseling and pregnancy center organization committed to protecting life. “We are grateful the Missouri Supreme Court has recognized the importance of applying rigorous legal scrutiny before allowing our life-saving laws to be suspended.”

The case before the court sheds light on how Amendment 3 may open the door to dangerous procedures and eliminate protections for the most vulnerable. Without legal clarity, women could be subjected to unsafe conditions, and the lives of preborn children could be ended without oversight or limits.

“The lower court’s ruling not only threatened the preborn but also left abortion facilities functionally unregulated,” Westbrook added. “Women deserve better than unlicensed facilities rushing to provide abortions under a constitutional cloud. Today’s decision is a step back toward safety, accountability, and a culture that values every human life.”

The original lawsuit was filed by Planned Parenthood affiliates after voters narrowly approved Amendment 3, which enshrined a so-called right to “reproductive freedom” in the state constitution. However, today’s ruling means any preliminary injunction must now meet the higher legal threshold established by federal precedent, including proving the plaintiffs are likely to prevail on the merits of their case.

Westbrook concluded, “This is not the end of the legal battle, but it is a critical victory for every pro-life Missourian. Coalition Life will continue to advocate for the most defenseless on the sidewalk and through our pregnancy center as we serve these women and preborn children most affected by this decision.”

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