Missouri Amendment 3 would change abortion protections and transgender care restrictions

MISSOURI, (KBSI) – Missouri voters will face a major decision this November as a proposed constitutional amendment could change the state’s abortion laws and restrictions on gender transition procedures for minors.

Amendment 3 would repeal reproductive freedom protections approved by Missouri voters in 2024 and replace them with new restrictions, according to Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.

Hoskins said the proposal contains two main provisions, including restrictions on gender transition procedures for minors and changes to abortion access.

“Amendment 3 basically contains two provisions, one dealing with banning transgender surgeries as well as hormone treatments on kids,” Hoskins said.

“One dealing with banning transgender surgeries as well as hormone treatments on kids. Now, part of that is currently under state law but that part sunsets in 2027. So, this would put into our constitution a ban on transgender hormone treatments as well as transgender sex change surgeries on kids, so that’s the first part of it and then the second part of it deals with abortions. Now currently all abortions are lawful here in the state of Missouri. What this would do, it would number one, it would require parental notification if a minor child were having an abortion. Currently, there are also no inspections for cleanliness or patient care on abortion facilities in the state of Missouri. This would require both of those, you know, obviously just very similar to what happens at a hospital or an inspection at a doctor’s office and then it would only allow abortions in the case of rape, incest or health of the mother” says Hoskins. 

He said some of those restrictions are already in place under state law but are scheduled to expire in 2027. The proposed amendment would place restrictions on those treatments in the Missouri Constitution.

The second part of the amendment focuses on abortion.

If approved, the measure would require parental notification when a minor seeks an abortion. It would also establish additional inspection requirements for abortion providers, including inspections related to cleanliness and patient care, Hoskins said.

The proposal would also limit when abortions could be performed, allowing exceptions for cases involving rape, incest or the health of the mother.

Hoskins said the amendment would establish additional requirements for abortion facilities, making inspections more similar to those conducted at hospitals and doctors’ offices.

The proposed changes come after Missouri voters approved Amendment 3 in 2024, establishing constitutional protections for reproductive freedom.

Now, voters will have another opportunity to decide how those protections should be defined in the state constitution.

The outcome could have significant implications for reproductive health care and medical treatment for minors across Missouri.

For more information on ballot questions:  Missouri Secretary of State