Women’s Reproductive Rights, State by State
Women's reproductive rights vary widely from state to state. According to Naral Pro-Choice America, in 2011, 26 states enacted 69 anti-choice measures including bans abortions after 20 weeks (without adequate exceptions to protect a woman's health or for when pregnancy was a result of rape or incest), and funding restrictions for lower income women. Many states also have requirements for waiting periods and ultrasounds before obtaining an abortion. Texas and Oklahoma insist a woman seeking an abortion view the ultrasound.
Even in states with fewer restrictions, obtaining an abortion from a licensed physician can be difficult. The Guttmacher Institute reports that 87% of U.S. counties are without an abortion provider.
Four states, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, and South Dakota, have an complete abortion ban on the books that would automatically go into effect if Roe v. Wade were overturned. Thirteen states retain un-enforced pre-Roe abortion bans. Seven states have legislated to uphold a woman's access to abortion.
Naral Pro-Choice gives states a letter grade for their overall reproductive rights policies. Their scoring is based on the existence of abortion bans, biased counseling, parental consent requirements, protection against clinic violence, and other factors.
The states with the most restrictive laws are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
The states with the most liberal laws are: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington.
More detailed information about specific legislation in every state can be found here.
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