Missouri Judge Rules Abortion Ban Unenforceable, But No Immediate Resumption of Services

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A Missouri judge has ruled that the state's near-total abortion ban is unenforceable, aligning with a new constitutional amendment that protects abortion rights. This amendment, passed by voters, allows abortions up to about 24 weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. The judge's decision means that the previous ban, which had almost no exceptions, is now invalid under the new constitutional provisions.

However, there is currently no specific start date for when abortion services will be available. This is because the ruling has paused the enforcement of the abortion ban, but it does not automatically restore abortion services. Legal and administrative processes are still required to establish when and how abortion services will resume. Clinics in Missouri have reported that access to abortion remains blocked despite the ruling, indicating ongoing challenges in the practical implementation of abortion services.