Kehoe signs bill allowing challenge to recent abortion ruling, changes to petition process

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe announced on Thursday that he signed a bill into law that could lead to a challenge of a voter-passed amendment to the Missouri Constitution on abortion.

Kehoe signed Senate Bill 22 into law, which allows the state’s attorney general to appeal any preliminary injunctions issued before Aug. 28.

A preliminary injunction in Jackson County allowed abortion access to open back up in the state after voters approved Amendment 3 in November. Amendment 3 had overturned Missouri’s near-total abortion ban.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey called the signing “a win for checks and balances.” The attorney general’s office did not immediately respond when asked when he might appeal the Jackson County judge’s injunction.

An emergency clause approved by the House allowed the provision to take effect immediately after the bill was signed.

A statement from a spokesperson from Bailey’s office indicated that the attorney general has already filed an appeal.

“Today, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a notice of appeal challenging the Court’s decision to strike down common sense health and safety standards. The women of Missouri deserve basic health and safety standards that safeguard their health and lives. AG Bailey is fighting to defend these standards and uphold the rule of law,” a statement provided by email from Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Bergmann says.

The bill also allows the Secretary of State to write three revised ballot summaries if a judge finds them lacking, which also was a point of contention in the battle of abortion this past fall. Progressive groups have slammed lawmakers for the bill, which they said would allow partisan politicians the chance to rewrite ballot language even if judges find them misleading.

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