Missouri Abortion Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq. | Last reviewed November 07, 2024
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In November of 2024 Missouri voters approved a ballot amendment that enshrines the right to abortion in the State's Constitution. This amendment overturns one of the nation's most stringent abortion bans, which was enacted shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
The amendment not only affirms the fundamental right to reproductive freedom but also highlights the power of citizen-initiated measures in shaping state policy. Despite Missouri's strong tradition of anti-abortion activism, the measure garnered widespread support, with advocates collecting a record number of signatures to ensure its place on the ballot.
Abortion Laws Post Dobbs
In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which returned to the states the power to regulate, even prohibit, abortion. Missouri had a trigger ban, which then took effect. Under the ban, all abortions, except in medical emergencies, were prohibited. In November of 2024, voters voted to amendment the state constitution to protect the right to abortion prior to fetal viability.
Missouri Abortion Laws
The following chart lists the main requirements of Missouri abortion law prior to the 2024 amendment. The 2024 amendment invalidates sections of the statutory language.
Statute | Missouri Revised Statutes: Title XII, Section 188.017 |
Statutory Definition of Abortion | The act of using or prescribing any instrument, device, medicine, drug, or any other means or substance with the intent to destroy the life of an embryo or fetus in his or her mother's womb; or The intentional termination of the pregnancy of a mother by using or prescribing any instrument, device, medicine, drug, or other means or substance with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth or to remove a dead unborn child |
Illegal | No abortion, except in medical emergencies (a condition which, based on reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert the death of the pregnant woman or for which a delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman)
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Penalty for Unlawful Abortion | Class B felony (five to 15 years) |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
- Missouri Law
- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
Missouri Abortion Laws: Related Resources
Have Concerns About Missouri's Abortion Laws? An Attorney Can Help
If you're facing an unwanted pregnancy, it can be difficult wading through the conflicting information available and determine exactly what your rights are. Although access to abortion is protected at the federal level, state laws vary widely. Get help today by reaching out to an experienced Missouri health care attorney near you.
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