Missouri GOP Pushes Penalties and Fetal Personhood in Renewed Abortion Fight

Republican lawmakers introduce dozens of new restrictions as courts weigh remaining abortion laws and the issue heads back to voters in November.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

GOP lawmakers in Missouri have introduced a flood of new legislation seeking to roll back some abortion protections, including expanding criminal penalties for doctors who perform abortions, establishing 'personhood' for embryos and fetuses, and adding instruction on fetal development and abortion to public school curriculums. This comes as the state's voters are set to weigh in on abortion rights again in November, and as a judge considers which of the state's abortion restrictions should remain in place under the abortion-rights amendment approved by voters in 2024.

Why it matters

The renewed push by Missouri Republicans to restrict abortion access comes despite voters approving a constitutional right to abortion just 15 months ago. The GOP is playing a long game, hoping to ultimately end access to the procedure altogether, either through the courts or by swaying public opinion. This sets up a high-stakes battle over the future of abortion rights in the state.

The details

Republican lawmakers have introduced dozens of new restrictions, including bills to expand criminal penalties for doctors who perform abortions, create civil penalties for those who help obtain medication abortion, and establish 'personhood' for embryos and fetuses. There are also proposals to add instruction on fetal development and abortion to public school curriculums. Some of the legislation, like the 'Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,' would open the door for the death penalty for providers who don't provide life-saving care to a baby born after an attempted abortion, even though critics say this scenario is extremely rare with modern medicine.

  • In 2024, Missouri voters approved a constitutional right to abortion.
  • In November 2026, Missouri voters will weigh in on abortion rights again.
  • Last month, a trial challenging state regulations around medication abortion wrapped up, but a decision is not expected until at least April.

The players

Brian Seitz

A Branson Republican state representative who co-sponsored the 'Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act' and believes establishing fetal personhood is the best path toward ending abortion in Missouri.

Ashley Aune

The House Minority Leader, a Kansas City Democrat who expressed disappointment in the majority party's actions on abortion legislation.

Darin Chappell

A Rogersville Republican state representative who introduced a fetal personhood bill, arguing it could give the U.S. Supreme Court the opportunity to directly address the question of personhood.

Maggie Olivia

The director of policy and external affairs at Abortion Action Missouri, who said the ultimate goal of legislation like fetal personhood is to establish criminal penalties for women who have abortions and the people who provide them that care.

Nick Schroer

A Republican state senator from Defiance who sponsored a bill to add instruction on fetal development and abortion to public school curriculums.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We will continue to advance protections for the mother and for the infant in the womb. We're not done. This is not the end.”

— Brian Seitz, State Representative (ksdk.com)

“To say I'm disappointed in the majority party is an understatement.”

— Ashley Aune, House Minority Leader (ksdk.com)

“The ultimate goal of legislation like that is to establish criminal penalties for women who have abortions and the people who provide them that care.”

— Maggie Olivia, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Abortion Action Missouri (ksdk.com)

“If it is indeed found that the unborn child is a person subject to the rights and protections guaranteed all person in the United States Supreme Court, then whatever laws we have to undo is secondary and subservient to the constitutional mandate.”

— Darin Chappell, State Representative (ksdk.com)

“These politicians spent their entire legislative session last year scheming on how to repeal the will of the people and our votes and undermine the court victories that the people won along the way.”

— Maggie Olivia, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Abortion Action Missouri (ksdk.com)

What’s next

The judge in Jackson County will decide in April at the earliest which of Missouri's abortion restrictions should remain in place under the abortion-rights amendment approved by voters in 2024. Missouri voters will also weigh in on abortion rights again in November 2026.

The takeaway

The renewed push by Missouri Republicans to restrict abortion access, despite voters approving a constitutional right to abortion just 15 months ago, highlights the ongoing battle over the future of reproductive rights in the state. This sets up a high-stakes fight that will play out in the courts and at the ballot box in the coming years.