Missouri the First State to Ban Most Abortions After Roe Reversal

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Most abortions are now illegal in Missouri following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended a constitutional protection for abortion.

A 2019 Missouri law prohibits abortions “except in cases of medical emergency.” But that law had not taken effect because it contained a provision making it contingent upon verification by state officials that the Supreme Court had overruled its 1973 Roe v. Wade precedent. 

Missouri has a “trigger law,” meaning abortion would be abolished with a proclamation from the governor or AG following Roe v. Wade overturning.

Missouri, Illinois state officials react to Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade 

Missouri is the first in the country to end abortion. Schmitt signed a proclamation at about 9:15 a.m. Shortly after, Governor Mike Parson also signed a proclamation that activates the “Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act.”

After Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Gov. Mike Parson both issued the necessary paperwork for the abortion-ban to take effect. Physicians who perform abortions could face felony charges punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

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