The US Supreme Court’s overturning of America’s constitutional right to abortion gives all 50 states the freedom to ban the procedure, with almost half believing they do in some form.
– Automatic locks –
13 states, mostly in the conservative and religious south of the country, have passed so-called “trigger” laws in recent years, which come into force almost automatically after the decision.
They differ in how they ban abortion. Idaho provides exceptions for rape or incest, but Kentucky only does so when the pregnant woman’s life is in danger.
Louisiana laws could subject healthcare professionals to up to 10 years in prison for performing abortions. In Missouri it’s 15 years.
In some states, like South Dakota, the ban went into effect on the day of the Supreme Court ruling. South Dakota allows exceptions if the mother is at risk.
Less than two hours after the Supreme Court’s decision was announced, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt tweeted a photo of himself signing a statement banning Midwestern’s abortion. Arkansas and Oklahoma quickly followed with similar moves.
Other states, such as Mississippi, also require the attorney general to first confirm that the court changed the legal framework.
Texas and Tennessee have set a 30-day period between the publication of the ruling and the enactment of a new ban.
– Restrictions –
Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina are among the states that have passed laws restricting abortion to six weeks before many people even know they are pregnant.
While these laws are currently blocked by the courts, they could come into force now that the Supreme Court has changed the legal landscape.
– Complex Patchwork –
Ten states, including Arizona and Michigan, have pre-1973 anti-abortion laws on the books that could theoretically revive them, though their path forward is uncertain.
In Wisconsin — where the Democratic governor supports abortion rights but a majority of Republican lawmakers do not — Planned Parenthood has said it does not plan to perform abortions beginning in late June, citing a legal risk.
In Michigan, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel added to the confusion by promising not to prosecute people who violate the 1931 statute prohibiting abortion.
But local prosecutors will still be able to do so, and the state risks becoming a complex patchwork of laws.
In Arizona, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey believes a law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy passed this year will overturn previous rules.
Senators from his party don’t see it that way and Ducey is to go to court to get clarity.
– to watch others –
According to the Guttmacher Institute, four states have signaled that they oppose abortions but currently have no laws banning them.
Lawmakers in Nebraska and Indiana have failed to pass abortion bans. Officials in Montana and Florida have shortened abortion deadlines, but the supreme courts in those states have protected abortion rights.
– Liberal States –
Twenty-two states — mostly in the Northeast and West Coast — will retain abortion rights and are preparing for an influx of women who want abortions.
For example, Connecticut and Delaware have expanded the categories of professionals authorized to perform abortions to include nurses and midwives.
California lawmakers have committed $152 million to improve abortion access and the New York governor has pledged $35 million.
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