Navigating Reproductive Rights Across the Nation

last updated June 23, 2023

It’s been one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion, leaving millions of Americans lost and confused in an ever-changing abortion landscape. Wondering what the laws look like in your state? Here are the most recent abortion law updates in each state. 

Click on your state to make sure you are registered to vote so that you can elect officials who will protect your reproductive rights.

Abortion Laws by State

Alabama: Alabama is enforcing a total abortion ban. Exceptions include saving the pregnant person's life; to prevent serious risk to the pregnant person's physical health.

Alaska: Abortion is legal in Alaska with no ban or limit based on how far along in pregnancy you are. Alaska legalized abortion before Roe v. Wade. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that the state constitution’s privacy clause protects a woman’s right to abortion.

Arizona: Abortion is protected in Arizona up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. An Arizona law that completely banned abortion went into effect Sept. 23, 2022, but is now on hold while being challenged in the courts.

Arkansas: Arkansas is enforcing a total abortion ban. Exceptions include saving the pregnant person’s life. 

California: Abortion is legal in California until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, exceptions include saving a pregnant person’s life; to preserve the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health). California voters passed Proposition 1, which explicitly enshrines in the state constitution the right to choose to have an abortion.

Colorado: Abortion is legal in Colorado at all stages of pregnancy. In 2022 Colorado enacted statutory protections for abortion as a fundamental right.

Connecticut: Abortion is legal in Connecticut until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, exceptions include saving a pregnant person’s life; to preserve the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

Delaware: Abortion is legal in Delaware until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. If your pregnancy is at or past the stage of "viability," you would need to travel out of Delaware to get an abortion unless you qualify for an exception. Exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; preserving the pregnant person's general health (can consist of mental health); if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy.

Florida: As of 4/14/23, Florida has passed an abortion ban after 6 weeks of pregnancy though it is not currently in effect. Abortion is still currently legal in Florida up to 15 weeks and six days of pregnancy.  “The six-week ban would provide exceptions for abortions to take place until 15 weeks for pregnancies that resulted from rape, incest or human trafficking, as long as the woman provides documentation such as a restraining order, medical record or police report.”

Georgia: Abortion is legal in Georgia around 6 weeks of pregnancy but is dependent on when cardiac activity can be detected. Past that, abortion exceptions include: to save the pregnant person's life; to preserve the pregnant person's physical health; if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy; if the pregnancy is a result of rape and/or incest.

Hawaii: Abortion is legal in Hawaii until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; to preserve the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

Idaho: Idaho has become the first state to outlaw “abortion trafficking”  which has been defined in Idaho’s House Bill 242 as “an adult helping a minor obtain an abortion or abortions pills without the consent of a parent or guardian by “recruiting, harboring, or transporting the pregnant minor within this state.” Abortion is banned in Idaho as of a new law that went into effect on Aug. 24, 2022. Exceptions include: saving the life of the pregnant person; if the pregnancy is the result of rape and/or incest.

Illinois: Abortion is legal in Illinois until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; to preserving the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

Indiana: A total abortion ban was blocked and as of March, 16th 2023. Abortion is legal in Indiana up to 20 weeks. After that, exceptions include: saving the life of the pregnant person; preserving the pregnant person’s physical health. 

Iowa: A 6-week abortion ban was blocked and abortion is currently legal in Iowa up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. After that, exceptions include: saving the life of the pregnant person; preserving the pregnant person’s physical health.

Kansas: Abortion is legal in Kansas up to 22 weeks. After that, exceptions include: saving the life of the pregnant person; to preserve the pregnant person’s physical health.

Kentucky: Most abortions are banned in Kentucky with these exceptions: to save the pregnant person's life; to prevent serious risk to the pregnant person's physical health.

Louisiana: Abortion is banned in Louisiana. Exceptions include: To save the pregnant person's life; preventing severe risk to the pregnant person's physical health; or If the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy.

Maine: Abortion is legal in Maine until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; to preserving the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

Maryland: Abortion is legal in Maryland until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; preserving the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health); if the fetus has suffered or will suffer from serious health issues during the pregnancy.

Massachusetts: Abortion is legal in Massachusetts up to 24 weeks. Exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; preserving the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

Michigan: Abortion is legal in Michigan until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life.

Minnesota: Abortion is legal in Minnesota until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; to preserve the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

Mississippi: Abortion is banned in Mississippi. Exceptions include: rape, saving the pregnant person's life, preventing serious risk to the pregnant person's physical health; if the fetus has suffered or will suffer from serious health issues during the pregnancy.

Missouri: Abortion is banned in Missouri. Exceptions include saving the pregnant person's life; to preventing serious risk to the pregnant person's physical health.

Montana: Abortion is legal in Montana until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; to prevent serious risks to the pregnant person's physical health.

Nebraska: A 12-week abortion ban was passed on May, 19th 2023. After 12 weeks, exceptions include rape, incest, and saving the pregnant person’s life.

Nevada: Abortion is legal in Nevada up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; preserving the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

New Hampshire: Abortion is legal in New Hampshire up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; preserving the pregnant person's physical health; if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy.

New Jersey: Abortion is legal in New Jersey with no limit to the length of the pregnancy. 

New Mexico: Abortion is legal in New Mexico with no limit to the length of the pregnancy. 

New York: Abortion is legal in New York until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; preserving the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

North Carolina: Abortion is legal in North Carolina up to 20 weeks and six days of pregnancy. After 20 weeks and six days, exceptions include saving the pregnant person's life; to preserve the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health). New law will take effect on July, 1st 2023 that will make most abortions illegal after 12 weeks.

North Dakota: On 4/24/23 North Dakota enacted a near-total abortion ban after its Supreme Court blocked a similar ban only a month ago. Abortions are only allowed during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy in cases of rape or incest, or in medical emergencies. Past six weeks there are no exceptions for rape or incest. Exceptions only include preventing death or serious health risk to the mother.

Ohio: A block was put on Ohio’s 6-week abortion ban and abortion is legal up to 21 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. After 21 weeks and 6 days, exceptions include saving the pregnant person's life; to prevent serious risk to the pregnant person's physical health.

Oklahoma: Abortion is banned in Oklahoma. Exceptions include: saving the pregnant person’s life. 

Oregon: Abortion is legal in Oregon with no limit to the length of the pregnancy. 

Pennsylvania: Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania up to 23 weeks and six days of pregnancy. After 23 weeks and six days, exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; to prevent serious risk to the pregnant person's physical health.

Rhode Island: Abortion is legal in Rhode Island until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help, usually around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, abortion exceptions include: to save the pregnant person's life. 

South Carolina: A South Carolina law that bans most abortions around 6 weeks is on hold pending supreme court review. Abortion is still legal in South Carolina up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Exceptions include: to save the pregnant person's life; to prevent serious risk to the pregnant person's physical health; if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy; if the pregnancy results from rape and/or incest.

South Dakota: Abortion is banned in South Dakota. Exceptions include saving the pregnant person's life; to preserve the pregnant person's physical health.

Tennessee: Not only is abortion banned in Tennessee, but it also has one of the strictest bans in the country, according to Associated Press: Tennessee's ban doesn't have an explicit exemption for the mother's life. Instead, it shifts the burden to the doctor to make a case in criminal court, if charged with a felony under the law, that an abortion was needed to save the mother's life or spare her from irreversible, severe impairment.

Texas: Abortion is banned in Texas. Exceptions include saving the pregnant person's life; to preventing severe risk to the pregnant person's physical health.

Utah: A total abortion ban is being challenged in courts. Abortion is still legal in Utah up to 18 weeks. After 18 weeks, exceptions include: To save the pregnant person's life; to preserve the pregnant person's physical health; if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy; if the pregnancy results from rape and/or incest.

Vermont: Abortion is legal in Vermont with no limit to the length of the pregnancy. 

Virginia: Abortion is legal in Virginia up to 26 weeks and six days of pregnancy. After 26 weeks and six days, exceptions include saving the pregnant person's life; to preserve the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

Washington: Abortion is legal in Washington until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. After viability, exceptions include: saving the pregnant person's life; and preserving the pregnant person's general health (can include mental health).

Washington, D.C: Abortion is legal in Washington D.C. with no limit to the length of the pregnancy. 

West Virginia: Abortion is banned in West Virginia. Exceptions include: to save the pregnant person's life; to preserve the pregnant person's physical health; if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy; if the pregnancy is a result of rape and/or incest.

Wisconsin: Abortion providers have temporarily stopped performing abortions. Exceptions include: saving the pregnant person’s life. A Wisconsin Supreme Court election on 4/4/23 will likely decide the fate of the future of abortion in the state.  

Wyoming: On 3/23/23 a temporary block was put on the 3/19/23 abortion ban in Wyoming. Abortion is currently legal until "viability," which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the uterus with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. A judge has temporarily blocked the Wyoming state legislation banning abortion pills separately from an overall abortion ban.  

State-by-state information thanks to abortionfinder.org Reproductiverights.org Guttmacher.org 6/23/23