Abortion law in the United States by state
Overview of abortion laws in the United States by state
Abortion law in the United States by state refers to the legal framework governing the availability and regulation of abortion services across the different states in the United States. The legal landscape of abortion in the U.S. is complex and varies significantly from state to state, influenced by federal rulings, state legislation, and local policies.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Abortion laws in the United States are shaped by both federal and state legislation. The landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court established a woman's legal right to an abortion under the constitutional right to privacy. However, states have the authority to regulate abortions, leading to a diverse array of laws across the country.
State Laws[edit | edit source]
Pre-1973 Abortion Laws[edit | edit source]
Before the Roe v. Wade decision, abortion laws varied widely across the United States. Some states had liberalized abortion laws, while others maintained strict prohibitions. The map illustrates the legal status of abortion in each state prior to 1973.
Minor Abortion Laws[edit | edit source]
Many states have specific laws regarding minors seeking abortions. These laws often require parental consent or notification, although judicial bypass options may be available. The map shows the different requirements for minors across the states.
Mandatory Waiting Periods[edit | edit source]
Several states have enacted mandatory waiting periods, requiring a woman to wait a specified amount of time between receiving counseling and obtaining an abortion. These waiting periods can range from 24 to 72 hours.
Feticide Laws[edit | edit source]
Feticide laws are designed to protect unborn children from harm. These laws vary by state and can impact the legal considerations surrounding abortion, particularly in cases of violence against pregnant women.
Pre-Abortion Counseling[edit | edit source]
Many states require women to receive counseling before an abortion can be performed. This counseling often includes information about fetal development, alternatives to abortion, and potential risks associated with the procedure.
Mandatory Ultrasound Laws[edit | edit source]
Some states mandate that an ultrasound be performed before an abortion. These laws may require the provider to offer the woman the opportunity to view the ultrasound image and hear the fetal heartbeat.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
