When the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in June 2022, nationwide laws surrounding abortion became diverse.
Some states rushed to add protections for abortion into their constitutions, while other states immediately banned the practice.
Many states have had confusing lawsuits and stop gaps that have made laws hard to understand. So if you are unsure about what is legal in the United States surrounding abortion, you are not alone.
As of this writing, this information is up to date but some of it is subject to change in the future.
Where Is Abortion Totally Illegal?
Many states have outlawed abortion from the point of conception, the fertilization of the egg. These states also have no exceptions for rape or incest. Those states include:
- South Dakota
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Idaho
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Indiana
Which States Are Pending on Illegal Abortion?
Many of the states who have trigger laws have not been able to enact those laws because of legal challenges. Those states are expected to try and make abortion illegal, but currently have other restrictions in place. Here is the breakdown of those states:
- North Dakota has a trigger law that would ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat at 6 weeks. However, it is enjoined right now, which means someone has sued the state in order to stop that law. In the meantime, a different law is in effect that makes abortion legal until 22 weeks. There are also bans on telemedicine abortion and added requirements for abortion facilities.
- Wyoming’s trigger law would ban all abortions except in cases of rape or incest. But for now, abortion is legal until viability, when the baby could live on its own if it was born. There is also a parental consent requirement for minors, among other restrictions.
- Utah’s trigger law would ban all abortions. But while the courts battle out the validity of that law in regards to the state constitution, abortion until 18 weeks is legal.
- Nebraska is trying to prohibit abortion and has many restrictions on abortion providers. It is currently legal until the child is believed to be able to feel pain, around 20-22 weeks. Women must also receive counseling and an ultrasound before an abortion.
- Iowa decided in 2022 that the right to abortion was not included in its state constitution, so abortion will likely become illegal in this state. For now, abortion until 20 weeks is legal with a mandatory ultrasound and counseling requirement.
- Wisconsin’s governor is favorable to abortion and is fighting the trigger law that would ban it. For now, it is legal until 22 weeks and requires an ultrasound and counseling prior to the appointment.
- Michigan’s governor is an abortion supporter who is trying to amend the constitution, but the state’s old abortion law from before 1972 would ban abortion in nearly all cases. For now, abortion is legal until viability with a counseling and waiting period requirement, among other restrictions.
- Pennsylvania has a pro-abortion governor that will likely not enforce the state’s trigger law. Currently, it is legal to have an abortion until 24 weeks.
- West Virginia’s trigger law is currently enjoined, but the state is still saying it is enforcing the law because of an amendment in 2018 that stated there is no right to abortion under the state constitution. Currently, abortion via telemedicine is illegal, and it is illegal to have an abortion after 20 weeks. However, the trigger law would make it illegal in the state from the point of conception.
- North Carolina is expected to make abortion illegal due to their trigger law that would ban all abortions. However that law is currently enjoined, and so abortion is legal until 20 weeks. There are many other restrictions in place as well.
Where Is Abortion Legal Only Until 6 Weeks?
- Ohio is currently enforcing its 6-week ban on abortion. Any abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected is illegal.
- South Carolina has begun to enforce a 6-week ban on abortion. In addition, self-abortion can be criminalized.
- Georgia currently has a 6-week ban on abortion, along with other restrictions.
Where Is Abortion Legal?
Some states have already made legal protections or provisions for abortion in wake of Roe V. Wade. Those states include:
- New Mexico has no limits on abortion except for reporting requirements and still provides public funding for the procedures.
- Arizona is currently enforcing its law that states abortion until 20 weeks is still legal, along with some restrictions.
- Virginia allows abortion until viability and has few restrictions for providers. Parents must be contacted in the cases of minors.
- New Hampshire allows abortion until 24 weeks and requires ultrasounds.
- Montana recently recognized the right to abortion as part of its constitution. Abortion will remain legal unless the constitution is amended. Abortion is legal until 20 weeks.
- Nevada voters passed a referendum protecting abortion in the state. Abortion will remain legal and is currently allowed until viability when the baby could live on its own if born.
- Colorado has no bans on abortion.
- Kansas views abortion as the right of a pregnant woman and will continue to allow abortion until 22 weeks.
- Florida allows abortion until 15 weeks.
- Alaska has no bans on abortion and considers it a constitutional right. Patients seeking an abortion in the state must have at least 30 days of residency there first.
- Maryland allows abortion until viability.
- Massachusetts allows abortion until 24 weeks.
- Rhode Island allows abortion until viability.
- Maine allows abortion until viability.
- Washington has expanded abortion rights and will continue to allow it until viability, around 28 weeks.
- Oregon has no bans on abortion and provides public funding for the procedures.
- California has expanded abortion work and allows it up until viability. Parental consent is not needed for minors.
- Minnesota has limited restrictions for abortion providers and currently has no bans or limits on abortion. There is a 24-hour waiting period required after a mandatory counseling session before an abortion can be scheduled.
- Illinois allows abortion until viability.
- New York has enacted protection for abortion providers and allows abortion until 24 weeks or viability.
- Vermont has no bans on abortion.
- Connecticut has expanded abortion in the state. It is legal until viability.
- New Jersey has no limits on abortion.
- Hawaii allows abortion until viability.
Hopefully, this helps clarify the division of states in a confusing and tumultuous time.
Here in Pennsylvania abortion is legal until 24 weeks. But before you decided whether or not abortion is right for you, you will need a pre-abortion screening.
We can offer that to you free of charge at our clinic. You will receive a free ultrasound which will confirm how far along you are– important information to have before choosing your next step. We will also walk through your options and where you can find helpful resources.
Please contact us today to schedule your free consultation.