Abortion has no federal constitutional protection since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision (June 2022), leaving regulation to individual states. This created a patchwork system, some states fully protect abortion rights, others impose strict bans or limits, so access, risk, and legal clarity vary widely by state.
In the United States, the legality of abortion differs depending on which state a person is in. In 1973, the United States Supreme Court decision in the case of Roe vs. Wade guaranteed the right to abortion. However, in 2022, the United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization removed the federal constitutional right to an abortion.
Numerous state-based laws restrict access in many ways including:
- Gestational age limits
- Requiring consent for minors (Judicial bypass is an option for minors who cannot notify or get consent from a parent or legal guardian)
- Waiting periods between initial consultation and initiating the abortion
- Requiring that only doctors provide the abortion
For additional state-by state information, visit abortionfinder.org
