Abortion laws by state, explained

by Nathaniel Weixel and Rachel Scully - 04/11/24 4:35 PM ET

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, it allowed states under Republican control to impose abortion bans or severe limitations, a long-sought goal for many GOP anti-abortion lawmakers.

Abortion access now is a state-by-state patchwork of laws that is ever-changing as new restrictions take effect.

Here’s where the laws stand as of today:

Full ban

Alabama: Bans abortions with limited exceptions. “Trigger” law went into effect days after Roe was overturned.

Arizona: Abortion is banned after 15 weeks. The state Supreme Court on April 9 said a near-total ban from 1864 can be enforced, but the ruling is on hold, pending further legal action. It could take effect in May or June.

Arkansas: A near total abortion ban went into effect shortly after Roe was overturned.

Idaho: Abortion is almost completely banned with few exceptions; a judge blocked part of the law that allowed doctors to be prosecuted for performing an abortion in a medical emergency

Indiana: A near-total ban took effect Aug. 1. It was the first state to limit or ban abortions after Roe was overturned.

Kentucky: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions.

Louisiana: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions.

Mississippi: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions.

Missouri: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions. “Trigger” law took effect shortly after Roe was overturned.

North Dakota: Abortion is almost completely banned, with very limited exceptions.

Oklahoma: A near-total abortion ban with limited exceptions went into effect shortly after Roe was overturned.

South Dakota: A near-total abortion ban with limited exceptions went into effect shortly after Roe was overturned.

Tennessee: A near-total abortion ban with limited exceptions went into effect shortly after Roe was overturned.

Texas: Abortion is almost completely banned, with very limited exceptions. Private citizens can also sue abortion providers and those who assist patients seeking an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

West Virginia: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions.

6 weeks

Florida: A 15-week abortion ban is in place. The state Supreme Court on April 1 said the Florida Constitution does not protect abortion, which will allow a six-week ban to take effect 30 days later.

Georgia: A “heartbeat” law bans abortions after about six weeks.

South Carolina: A “heartbeat” law bans abortions after about six weeks.

12-18 weeks

Nebraska: Abortion is banned at 12 weeks and later.

North Carolina: Abortion is banned after 12 weeks.

Utah: Abortion is banned at 18 weeks and later. A near-total ban is temporarily blocked in court, but other laws seek to shutter abortion clinics operating in the state.