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Abortion Legislation: A Year after Supreme Court Overturns Roe, Here’s a State-By-State Assessment

by Ethan Kim
8 comments
Abortion Laws in US States

A year has passed since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which brought an end to nearly half a century of nationwide right to abortion. This momentous decision reversed the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that safeguarded the right to abortion up to fetal viability, generally around the 23rd or 24th week of pregnancy. Since then, states have been enacting varied policies on this matter.

Let’s examine where each state stands on abortion laws:

STATES PROHIBITING ABORTION THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY

  • Alabama: A 2019 law was enacted after Dobbs, allowing exceptions for the woman’s life or health.
  • Arkansas: Similar to Alabama, a law from 2019 was put into effect post-Dobbs, exceptions include the woman’s life.
  • Idaho: A 2020 law took effect post-Dobbs, with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the woman. Additionally, transporting a minor for an abortion without parental consent is a felony.
  • Kentucky: A law from 2019 was put into effect after Dobbs. Exceptions include health or life of the woman.
  • Louisiana: A 2006 law took effect post-Dobbs. Exceptions include life or health of the woman.
  • Mississippi: A 2007 law was enacted after Dobbs, with exceptions for rape and the life of the woman.
  • Missouri: A 2019 law took effect post-Dobbs. Exceptions include life or health of the woman.
  • North Dakota: A new 2023 law replaced a blocked one, with exceptions for rape, incest, health, or life of the woman.
  • Oklahoma: A 2022 law took effect after Dobbs, with exceptions only for the life of the woman.
  • South Dakota: A 2005 law was enacted after Dobbs, with the only exception being the life of the woman.
  • Tennessee, Texas: Laws from 2020 and 2021 respectively were put into effect after Dobbs, with exceptions for health or life of the woman.
  • West Virginia: A ban was instituted in 2022 after Dobbs, with exceptions for rape, incest, health, or life of the woman.
  • Wisconsin: A longstanding ban from 1849 is being disputed in court, with the only exception being the woman’s life.

STATES WHERE ABORTION IS PROHIBITED AFTER 6 TO 15 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY

  • Arizona: A 15-week gestation ban was adopted post-Dobbs.
  • Georgia: A 2019 law bans abortion once cardiac activity can be detected, typically around six weeks.
  • Nebraska: A 2023 law bans abortion at 12 weeks’ gestational age.

STATES WITH ADOPTED BANS THAT ARE NOT YET IN FORCE

  • Florida: A 15-week gestation ban took effect post-Dobbs.
  • North Carolina: A 20-week ban remains in place until July 1, when a 12-week ban, with exceptions, takes effect.

STATES WHERE BANS OR RESTRICTIONS ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED BY COURTS

  • Indiana: A 22-week gestation ban is currently in place.
  • Montana: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Ohio: A 22-week ban is in place.
  • South Carolina: A 20-week ban is in place.
  • Utah: An 18-week ban is in place.
  • Wyoming: Abortion is banned after viability.

STATES THAT HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO GUARANTEE ABORTION ACCESS

  • California: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Colorado: No point in pregnancy is abortion banned.
  • Connecticut: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Delaware: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • District of Columbia: No point in pregnancy is abortion banned.
  • Hawaii: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Illinois: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Maine: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Maryland: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Massachusetts: Abortion is banned after 24 weeks.
  • Michigan: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Minnesota: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Nevada: Abortion is banned after 24 weeks.
  • New Jersey: No point in pregnancy is abortion banned.
  • New Mexico: No point in pregnancy is abortion banned.
  • New York: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Pennsylvania: Abortion is banned after 24 weeks.
  • Rhode Island: Abortion is banned after viability.
  • Vermont: No point in pregnancy is abortion banned.
  • Washington: Abortion is banned after viability.

STATES WHERE KEY ABORTION POLICIES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE DOBBS

  • Alaska: No point in pregnancy is abortion banned.
  • Iowa: A 22-week gestation ban is in place.
  • Kansas: A 22-week gestation ban is in place.
  • New Hampshire: Abortion is banned after 24 weeks.
  • Oregon: No point in pregnancy is abortion banned.
  • Virginia: Abortion is banned after the second trimester, around 26 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Abortion Laws in US States

What triggered the changes in abortion laws across the United States?

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, which overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, spurred these changes. The Dobbs decision ended almost half a century of nationwide right to abortion, prompting states to enact contrasting policies on the issue.

Which states have enacted complete bans on abortion?

States such as Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have enacted complete bans on abortion with varying exceptions, mostly centered around the life or health of the woman, rape, or incest.

Are there states where abortion is banned after a certain period of pregnancy?

Yes, states like Arizona, Georgia, and Nebraska have enacted laws that ban abortion after 6 to 15 weeks of pregnancy, also with specific exceptions.

What states have moved to protect abortion access?

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have taken measures to guarantee access to abortion.

Have any states maintained their abortion policies unchanged since the Dobbs ruling?

Yes, Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Virginia have kept their abortion policies the same since the Dobbs ruling.

More about Abortion Laws in US States

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8 comments

ProudDad June 22, 2023 - 7:40 pm

Not everyone is gonna agree, but i think its time men step up and support women. They shouldn’t have to face this alone.

Reply
AmyRights June 22, 2023 - 9:46 pm

Thankful for the states standing up for women’s health and right to choose. The fight continues!

Reply
SandyW June 23, 2023 - 12:36 am

As a mother and a woman, this deeply saddens me. We have to keep fighting for our daughters.

Reply
JohnD2023 June 23, 2023 - 7:45 am

Surprised to see how differently each state has handled this. feels like we arent united at all…

Reply
LisaMarie94 June 23, 2023 - 8:41 am

Really sad to see the current state of women’s rights in our country. i thought we were past this in 2023.

Reply
Educate101 June 23, 2023 - 8:54 am

Important to stay informed on this. Regardless of your stance, knowledge is power. thanks for the info.

Reply
RachelB June 23, 2023 - 2:20 pm

What a mess. how did we end up here again? feels like we’re going backwards, not forwards.

Reply
TechGuy47 June 23, 2023 - 4:23 pm

interesting info but makes me wonder about the tech implications? Like what about telemedicine for abortion? thats got to be complex with all these diff laws…

Reply

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