April 30, 2025

Today, Right By You (RBY), a co-founding member of What’s Next and the only youth-focused abortion access organization in Missouri, filed the first challenge to a forced parental involvement law in any state where voters amended their constitution to protect abortion. The Lawyering Project filed this challenge on behalf of RBY in the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County.

What’s Next issued the following statement in response to this lawsuit:

“We commend Right By You for stepping into the gap left by Amendment 3 leaders. There is no excuse for leaving the most marginalized people behind. While this effort to address young vulnerable abortion seekers is a monumental step forward, the work does not end here. From gender-affirming care bans, attacks against education, the health crisis caused by guns, and insurance bans on abortion, young Missourians’ health and safety remain at risk. We will not stop fighting to end these injustices against our state’s next generation.”

Young people overrepresent abortion seekers later in pregnancy. Amendment 3 does not protect later abortion in most circumstances, and no Missouri clinics provide past 13 weeks. Removing parental involvement laws and allowing support for young people seeking care reduces harm for a population more likely to travel out of state for care they cannot get in Missouri and for those who live in unsafe, unstable, or untraditional circumstances that might make it impossible or dangerous to involve a parent.

Read the filing in the 6th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County.

Contact: whatsnext4mo@gmail.com