State abortion requirements and legislation
Women have had a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy up to viability, or around 24 weeks, since the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. However, the rules for abortion are now being rewritten on the state level across America.
This year, legislation restricting abortion in a variety of ways has been introduced in more than 30 state legislatures. Many states already have existing requirements that limit when an abortion can take place and whether ultrasounds and counseling are needed. Clinics providing abortions are also facing more stringent regulations, and in some cases force facilities to close, therefore limiting options for women who seek abortions.
Legislation has been enacted
Legislation has been introduced
20 weeks
24 weeks
Post-viability
3rd trimester
None
‹‹ back to U.S. facts
Number of providers (2008):
Number of abortions (2009):
Existing requirements
Abortions banned:
Ultrasound required:
Counseling required:
Provider regulations:
Proposed legislation
Abortion regulations in the U.S.
Number of providers (2008): 1,793
Number of abortions (2009): 784,507
Existing requirements
Restrictions on later-term abortions exist in 40 states.
Ultrasounds are required in 11 states.
Counseling is required in 37 states.
Provider regulations exist in 28 states.
Proposed legislation
Restrictive abortion legislation has been introduced in 32 states.
Restrictive abortion legislation has been enacted in 9 states.
SOURCE: The Guttmacher Institute, Center for Disease Control, "Abortion Incidence and Access to Services In the United States, 2008" by Rachel K. Jones and Kathryn Kooistra. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.
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