(WASHINGTON) — After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that guaranteed a woman’s right to an abortion, states are taking action.
The court’s ruling rolled back constitutional protection for abortion rights, giving each state the power to decide.
Several states had trigger laws in place that immediately banned abortion if Roe was overturned. Others guarantee the right to an abortion under state laws or their constitutions.
Some states are now introducing new laws, emboldened by the Supreme Court’s decision.
Latest updates:
Jun 28, 8:42 pm
Nevada governor signs executive order strengthening abortion protections
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed an executive order “ensuring safe access to abortions for women seeking refuge from restrictive laws in their state.”
The order grants protection to abortion providers and denies extradition requests if the woman receives an abortion in Nevada but lives in a state where abortion is banned.
“Reproductive health care is a basic human right — We are committed to ensuring safe access to abortions for women seeking refuge from the restrictive laws in their state,” Sisolak said.
-ABC News’ Marilyn Heck
Jun 28, 3:53 pm
Wisconsin governor challenges state’s pre-Roe ban
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said he and the state’s attorney general are filing a challenge to a pre-Roe abortion law.
The law dates back to 1849 and makes an abortion a felony in Wisconsin, even in cases of rape or incest.
Confusion surrounding the law and whether it is enforceable caused abortion providers in Wisconsin to suspend abortion procedures in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“Access to safe and legal abortion stopped in Wisconsin last Friday. With this lawsuit, we are fighting to restore reproductive freedom in Wisconsin,” Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement.
He continued, “The Republican-led legislature’s failure to act during last week’s special session has left Wisconsin law regarding abortion in a state of uncertainty. This lawsuit is asking the court to clarify that Wisconsin’s 19th century abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest has not gone back into effect.”
-ABC News’ Ely Brown
Jun 28, 2:43 pm
Tennessee abortion ban goes into effect
Tennessee’s ban on abortion starting at around six weeks of pregnancy has gone into effect after a federal court removed an injunction blocking the law in 2020.
The law prohibits the procedure after a fetal heartbeat can be detected and if the providers knows the woman is seeking an abortion due to the fetus’s sex or race or due to a Down syndrome diagnosis.
The only exception is if the woman’s life is in danger.
“This is just the beginning,” Rabia Muqaddam, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights — one of the groups that filed a lawsuit that initially blocked the law — said in a statement.
She continued, “We will continue to see many, many states ban abortion, creating huge abortion deserts in parts of this country resulting in serious harm to people and their families. We will do everything we can to maintain as much abortion access in Tennessee as possible — for as long as possible.”
Tennessee is one of at least 13 states that have ceased nearly all abortion services.
Jun 28, 1:12 pm
State court blocks Texas’ pre-Roe ban on abortion
A state court blocked Tuesday enforcement of a Texas pre-Roe ban on abortion.
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last week, the state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, said Texas’ trigger ban would not go into effect for about two months.
But he added that abortion providers could immediately face criminal charges based on a 1925 law that had gone unenforced since Roe was decided in 1973.
In response, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Texas, Morrison & Foerster, LLP, Hayward PLLC filed a lawsuit on behalf of several abortion clinics in the state, arguing that the statute had previously been declared unconstitutional.
The temporary blocking means abortions up to six weeks of pregnancy can resume at some clinics.
A hearing has been scheduled for July 12.
Jun 28, 9:16 am
‘Fetal heartbeat law’ in effect in South Carolina
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said the state’s abortion ban is now in effect after a federal judge lifted the injunction June 27.
The so-called Fetal Heartbeat Protection from Abortion Act prohibits abortion if cardiac activity can be detected, which is around six weeks of pregnancy — before many women know they’re pregnant.
If a heartbeat is detected, an abortion can only be performed if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or if the mother’s life is in danger.
“The Heartbeat Law is now in effect. Once Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, the decision on legally protecting the lives of unborn babies was returned to the states, so there was no longer any basis for blocking South Carolina’s Heartbeat Law,” Wilson said in a statement.
He continued, “Our state is now carrying out a government’s most sacred and fundamental duty, protecting life.”
Jun 27, 6:03 pm
Judge issues temporary restraining order on Utah’s abortion ‘trigger ban’
Utah 3rd District Court Judge Andrew Stone issued a temporary restraining order on Monday blocking Utah’s “trigger ban” on abortions.
Plaintiffs have demonstrated “irreparable harm here in allowing this law to go into effect immediately,” Stone said. “I think the immediate effects of [what] will occur outweigh any policy interest of the state in stopping abortions immediately. Doctors here are threatened with felonies. The affected women are deprived of safe, local medical treatments to terminate pregnancies.”
The temporary restraining order is effective immediately and lasts for 14 days. There will be a preliminary injunction hearing on July 11.
Planned Parenthood filed the challenge on Saturday.
-ABC News’ Jenn Watts
Jun 27, 10:02 am
Mississippi attorney general certifies state’s trigger law
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said Monday she has certified the state’s trigger law banning abortion following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
“Mississippi’s laws to promote life are solid and thanks to the Court’s clear and strong opinion in Dobbs, they can now got into effect,” she said in a statement posted to Twitter.
She continued, “As we have said throughout the case, Roe v. Wade presented a false choice between a woman’s future and her child’s life.”
The ban will go into effect in 10 days.
Under the new law, anyone who performs or attempts to perform an abortion in Mississippi will be charged with a felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The only exceptions are to save the mother’s life or if the woman is a victim of rape, provided she has reported the crime to law enforcement.
Jun 25, 8:41 am
Utah ban on nearly all abortions goes into effect
Utah’s abortion ban went into effect on Friday, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
The Utah Legislature allowed a 2020 law prohibiting all elective abortions in the state to go into effect. The law makes exceptions for circumstances involving rape, incest or medical emergencies.
Under the law, abortions would be allowed for women at risk of death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Abortions are also allowed if two maternal fetal doctors find that the fetus has a lethal defect or a severe brain abnormality that is diagnosable.
Jun 24, 6:36 pm
Alabama abortion ban allowed to go into effect
An emergency motion to end an injunction against a 2019 law that made abortion illegal was granted Friday, hours after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“Thus, Alabama’s law making elective abortions a felony is now enforceable,” said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall in a statement. “Anyone who takes an unborn life in violation of the law will be prosecuted, with penalties ranging from 10 to 99 years for abortion providers.”
The Human Life Protection Act makes it unlawful “for any person to intentionally perform or attempt to perform an abortion” unless “an abortion is necessary in order to prevent a serious health risk to the unborn child’s mother.” There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
Jun 24, 5:03 pm
Oklahoma AG announces trigger law banning abortion is in effect
Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor announced the state trigger law banning abortions has gone into effect after the Supreme Court voted to strike down Roe v. Wade.
“As a result … the authority of the State of Oklahoma to prohibit abortion has been confirmed, and the State of Oklahoma may enforce” statutes prohibiting abortion throughout pregnancy, O’Connor wrote in a release sent to state lawmakers Friday.
In a press conference later in the afternoon, he called the Supreme Court’s ruling “the most lifesaving decision in the history of our nation.”
Gov. Kevin Sitt also appeared at the press conference, during which he praised the court’s decision.
“You know when I ran for governor, I promised Oklahomans that I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that hit my desk. and I’m thrilled to have kept that promise,” he said.
Last month, Stitt signed into law the strictest abortion ban in the U.S., effectively ending access to the procedure in Oklahoma.
Jun 24, 4:19 pm
Kentucky bans abortion after trigger law enacted
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced abortion is now banned in the state after a trigger law went into effect following the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade.
“As of this morning, except where the health of the mother is at risk, abortion is no longer lawful in the commonwealth,” he said during a press conference Friday afternoon.
There is also an exception if a provider performs medical treatment that accidentally terminates a pregnancy, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that focuses on sexual and reproductive health.
Under the law, anybody who performs or attempts to perform an abortion will be charged with a Class D felony, publishable by one to five years in prison.
Jun 24, 3:56 pm
Arkansas’ trigger law banning abortion goes into effect
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge signed the state’s trigger law into effect, banning abortion in the state.
The Arkansas Human Life Protection Act was passed in 2019 and included a provision to activate if Roe v. Wade was overruled in part or in whole.
The law makes performing or attempting to perform an abortion a. felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
The only exception is if the mother’s life is in danger.
Earlier Friday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson praised the court for its ruling, and tweeted, “For decades I have said Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided. Today, the Supreme Court overturned the abortion ruling and returned the issue to the states. Arkansas is a pro-life state, and we are able now to protect life.”
Jun 24, 3:07 pm
Louisiana enacts trigger law banning abortion
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said Friday abortion is banned in the state after a trigger law went into effect following the Supreme Court’s decision.
“My office and I will do everything in our power to ensure the laws of Louisiana that have been passed to protect the unborn are enforceable, even if we have to go back to court,” Landry said in a statement.
Because of #SCOTUS ruling in #Dobbs, Louisiana’s trigger law banning #abortion is now in effect. #lagov
— AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) June 24, 2022
Earlier this week, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill into law that strengthened the 2006 trigger law that went into effect Friday. The new law increases the penalties abortion providers face: prison terms range from one to 10 years and $10,000 to $100,000 in fines.
Criminal charges cannot be brought against a woman who receives an abortion. There are no exceptions for rape or incest, only when the mother’s life is in danger.
Edwards also recently signed into law legislation that makes it illegal for anyone to send abortion pills by mail to Louisiana residents. Those who do face one to five years in prison and fines up to $50,000.
Jun 24, 2:11 pm
Indiana legislators to address abortion in special session
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said a special session of the General Assembly next month will address abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is clear, and it is now up to the states to address this important issue. We’ll do that in short order in Indiana,” Holcomb said in a statement. “I’ve already called the General Assembly back on July 6, and I expect members to take up this matter as well.”
The Supreme Court’s decision is clear, and it is now up to the states to address this important issue. We’ll do that in short order in Indiana. I’ve already called the General Assembly back on July 6, and I expect members to take up this matter as well.
— Governor Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) June 24, 2022
Jun 24, 2:10 pm
South Carolina governor vows to push for passage of ‘fetal heartbeat bill’
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, vowed to push for more abortion restrictions on the heels of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a resounding victory for the Constitution and for those who have worked for so many years to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us,” McMaster tweeted.
He added, “By the end of the day, we will file motions so that the Fetal Heartbeat Act will go into effect in South Carolina and immediately begin working with members of the General Assembly to determine the best solution for protecting the lives of unborn South Carolinians.”
By the end of the day, we will file motions so that the Fetal Heartbeat Act will go into effect in South Carolina and immediately begin working with members of the General Assembly to determine the best solution for protecting the lives of unborn South Carolinians.
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) June 24, 2022
The law requires doctors to perform ultrasounds on pregnant women seeking an abortion to determine if cardiac activity can be detected, which typically occurs around six weeks — before many women know they’re pregnant.
The law had been blocked, pending the outcome of Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote along party lines.
Additionally, the state’s attorney general, Alan Wilson, announced he has filed a motion in federal court to lift the injunction of the law.
Jun 24, 1:11 pm
Alabama governor seeks to enforce abortion ban
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Friday the state will work to enforce a 2019 law that makes performing an abortion at any stage a felony unless the mother’s health is in danger.
“Currently, there is a halt by a federal judge on the enforcement of that law, but now that Roe is overturned, the state will immediately ask the court to strike down any legal barriers to enforcing this law,” Ivey said in a statement.
Currently, there is a halt by a federal judge on the enforcement of that law, but now that Roe is overturned, the state will immediately ask the court to strike down any legal barriers to enforcing this law. (4/6)
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) June 24, 2022
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall also issued a statement calling on all abortion clinics in the state to close.
“Any abortionist or abortion clinic operating in the State of Alabama in violation of Alabama law should immediately cease and desist operations,” Marshall said.
The right to an abortion is not protected under Alabama’s state constitution.
Jun 24, 1:10 pm
Virginia governor seeks to ban abortion after 15 weeks
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will seek to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy following the Supreme Court decision to overrule Roe v. Wade, his office confirmed to ABC News.
Virginians elected a pro-life governor and he supports finding consensus on legislation,” spokesperson Macaulay Porter said.
She added, “He has tapped Senator Siobhan Dunnavant, Senator Steve Newman, Delegate Kathy Byron and Delegate Margaret Ransone to do so and prioritize protecting life when babies begin to feel pain in the womb, including a 15-week threshold.”
Youngkin released a statement Friday morning praising the court’s decision, saying it “rightfully returned power to the people and their elected representatives in the states.”
Jun 24, 12:56 pm
Missouri announces abortion ban after Supreme Court ruling
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said in a tweet Friday that Missouri has banned abortions following the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.
“In response to today’s SCOTUS ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, I have signed a proclamation activating the ‘Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act,’ ending elective abortions in the State,” Parson wrote.
BREAKING: Missouri has become the first state in the nation to effectively end abortions.
In response to today’s SCOTUS ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, I have signed a proclamation activating the “Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act,” ending elective abortions in the State. pic.twitter.com/Spfi5k1grX
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 24, 2022
With the overturning of Roe, nearly half of the nation’s 50 states are prepared to ban all or nearly all abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights policy organization.
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