U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, which had affirmed in 1973 that women have access to abortions under federal laws. The access to abortions under federal laws. The ruling was announced on June 24, 2022.
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As a result of the decision, 50 years of legal protections were dismantled, paving the way for individual states to curtail or outright ban abortion rights.
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe V. Wade last year, abortion battles are raging across state capitols across the country.
A snapshot of state legislation in 2023 aimed at banning or protecting abortion.
RESTRICTIONS
FLORIDA:-
Amid a legal challenge to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 15-week abortion ban last year, republican lawmakers are considering stricter measures, such as banning abortions after 12 weeks in the state of FLORIDA.
The Republican-controlled legislature may pass a bill banning abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy, said Ron DeSantis.
KANSAS:-
Abortion ban up to 20 weeks postfertilization (22 weeks after the last menstrual period) is allowed in the state of KANSAS.
Even though KANSAS approved state abortion rights last year, Republican legislators have proposed near-total bans on abortion and restrictions on telemedicine prescription for abortion pills.
IDAHO:-
The IDAHO Supreme Court ruled in January 2022 that neither the state’s constitution nor its laws guarantee a right to abortion, restoring the state’s ban on abortion after 6 weeks and a law allowing abortion providers to be sued for damages.
Legislation has been introduced in IDAHO that could make it illegal to help a minor obtain an abortion in another state without their parent or guardian’s consent. Currently, the state is enforcing a total abortion ban.
MONTANA:-
While abortion is legal in the state of MONTANA, the Republican-controlled state is trying to overturn a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling that abortion was protected by the state constitution.
The ruling has prevented lawmakers from restricting abortion beyond the current 24-week limit in the conservative state.
NORTH DAKOTA:-
NORTH DAKOTA continues to allow abortions by US Supreme Court rulings in Roe V. Wade.
The Republican Party is seeking to clarify a ban on abortion for rape and incest cases by moving a bill that would allow abortions during the first six weeks of pregnancy.
SOUTH CAROLINA:-
The state of SOUTH CAROLINA allows abortions up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. The state supreme court struck down a six-week abortion ban recently in a 3-2 vote and refused to rehear the case. This year, Republicans are proposing a near-total ban on abortion and a ban on abortion after six weeks.
WEST VIRGINIA:-
Currently, a near-total abortion ban is in place in the state of WEST VIRGINIA, but Republicans have proposed removing the rape and incest exceptions.
KENTUCKY:-
There are no exceptions to the abortion ban for rape or incest. During the November election, voters rejected a ballot measure that would have amended the state constitution to ban abortions.
PROTECTION
MICHIGAN:-
In MICHIGAN, abortion is legal beyond fetal viability. In the legislature, the new Democratic majority is advancing abortion protections, including repealing a nearly century-old law banning abortion.
ILLINOIS:-
Abortion remains legal in ILLINOIS. J.B. Pritzker, the Democrat governor of ILLINOIS, issued a law in January that protects abortion providers and out-of-state patients from legal attacks.
MINNESOTA:-
In MINNESOTA, abortion is legal beyond fetal viability. The state legislature’s new Democratic majority in January passed legislation codifying abortion rights in state law along with a right to contraception and fertility treatment. The Democrats have introduced a bill that will protect abortion providers and patients from legal repercussions in other states.