What states have a total abortion ban?

Asked by: Nils Schiller  |  Last update: March 22, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (22 votes)

Note: As of January 8, 2025, 12 states have banned abortion (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia). Private insurance includes both employer-sponsored insurance and individual off-exchange insurance.

Which states have full abortion bans?

Bans after 18 weeks: AR, MO, TN, UT. Abortion Bans from 20-22 Weeks: 24 STATES ban abortion after 20-22 weeks: AL, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MS, MO, MT, NE, NC, ND, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, WV, WI. 6 STATES ban abortion at 20 weeks: AZ, MS, MO, MT, NC, TN.

Who banned abortion in the United States?

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overruled both Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Dobbs case on originalist grounds that a right to abortion cannot be found in the U.S. Constitution.

Is it legal in any state to have an abortion?

13 states have a total abortion ban. 28 states have abortion bans based on gestational duration. 7 states ban abortion at or before 18 weeks' gestation. 21 states ban abortion at some point after 18 weeks.

In what states is it illegal to have a miscarriage?

Women in South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and several other states have faced criminal charges after a miscarriage or stillbirth for failing to seek immediate medical treatment, not pursuing prenatal care or disposing of the fetal remains in a way that law enforcement or prosecutors ...

New lawsuits to come over near-total abortion bans in Idaho, Oklahoma and Tennessee

41 related questions found

Where are abortions banned in the world?

Abortions are completely banned in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, and only allowed in certain restricted circumstances in most other Latin American nations.

What state has the most lenient abortion laws?

States with the most lenient abortion laws generally have protections in place with no gestational limits or bans, allowing access up to the point of fetal viability or later, with Oregon, California, New Mexico, Maryland, Michigan, and Minnesota frequently cited as having the most permissive laws, often featuring codified rights and no mandatory waiting periods or parental consent. Some states, like Maryland and Michigan, have enshrined these rights in their constitutions, while Oregon has made it easy to obtain contraception and has no gestational limits. 

What are the 4 exceptions to abortion?

The four main exceptions to abortion bans in the U.S. are to save the pregnant person's life, protect their physical health, cases of rape or incest, and when there's a diagnosis of a lethal fetal anomaly, though the specific conditions and gestational limits for these exceptions vary significantly by state, with some states offering few or no exceptions beyond saving a life. 

What states give free abortions?

Iowa and Virginia provide state funds for abortions in cases of fetal impairment.

How many weeks pregnant are you allowed to have an abortion?

You can generally have an abortion with pills up to 11 weeks (77 days) from your last period, while in-clinic procedures (like suction aspiration or D&E) can be performed much later, often up to 14-16 weeks, and sometimes even later into the second trimester, depending on the clinic, state laws, and medical reasons. Laws vary significantly by location, with some states banning abortions earlier, while others allow them later, even up to fetal viability. 

Will God forgive me for having an abortion?

Yes, according to many Christian teachings, God offers forgiveness for abortion through repentance, confession, and faith in Jesus Christ, with resources often pointing to verses like 1 John 1:9 and Psalm 32, emphasizing that abortion is not an unforgivable sin but a matter for which Jesus' sacrifice provides atonement, leading to peace and freedom from guilt through Christ's power, though specific beliefs vary by denomination, such as the Catholic Church viewing it as a grave sin but still within God's merciful reach. 

Why did America ban abortions?

Some historians have suggested that laws against post-quickening abortions were primarily intended to protect the health of the pregnant woman—not fetal life—as it was much more common for women to die during abortions that used instruments rather than herbal abortifacients.

Did Texas ban abortions?

Senate Bill 8 (SB8), the state's 2021 law banning abortion after six weeks, allowed Texans to sue anyone providing or helping someone access an abortion for $10,000. But the flood of lawsuits that Texas lawmakers were hoping for never came—Texans overwhelmingly chose to respect each other's privacy.

Where is abortion legal after 6 weeks?

California. California allows abortion through about 24 weeks into pregnancy or later, in some cases. California has an exception if the pregnant person's life or health are in serious danger.

Was abortion ever legal in all 50 states?

1973: Roe v.

Wade protected the right to abortion in all 50 states, making abortion services safer and more accessible throughout the country. The decision also set a legal precedent that affected dozens of subsequent Supreme Court cases.

What is the latest you can have an abortion in the United States?

The latest you can get an abortion in the U.S. varies significantly by state, with some states allowing it up to fetal viability (around 24 weeks) or even later if the pregnant person's health is at risk, while others have much earlier bans, but generally, in states where it's legal, in-clinic procedures can be available up to 24 weeks, with medication abortion typically up to 11 weeks, though finding providers for later-term abortions (especially past 12 weeks) can be difficult. 

What if I am 3 months pregnant and I don't want the baby?

If you're three months pregnant and don't want the baby, your main options are abortion (medical or surgical) or carrying to term for adoption or parenting, with professional counseling recommended to explore feelings and logistics for any choice, emphasizing that abortion options shift from pills to surgical procedures after the first trimester (around 11-12 weeks). Contacting a doctor, a local abortion service, or an adoption agency provides crucial information, support, and guidance on safety and legalities, with adoption offering a pathway to a chosen family while allowing you to change your mind even after birth, notes NHS inform and Considering Adoption. 

What states are absolutely no abortion?

Note: As of January 8, 2025, 12 states have banned abortion (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia).

How many states have banned abortion as of 2025?

The Court's June 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization did just that. Federal abortion rights were nullified, and the regulation of abortion was returned to the states. As of November 2025, 13 states have enacted a total ban on abortion with few exceptions.

What states have the strictest abortion bans?

North Dakota

North Dakota enacted a total abortion ban in 2023 (with only very limited exceptions) after its previous ban was blocked by the courts. The state's law includes narrow medical exceptions and is one of the strictest in the country.

How many months pregnant can you not have an abortion?

If you are less than 13 weeks pregnant, most hospitals will usually give you the choice of medical induction (labour and delivery) or a surgical termination under general anaesthetic. If you are over 13 weeks pregnant – most hospitals can only offer medical induction to end the pregnancy.

What are the worst states for reproductive rights?

Scorecard Highlights. Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island top the rankings for the 2024 State Scorecard on Women's Health and Reproductive Care, which is based on 32 measures of health care access, quality, and health outcomes. The lowest performers were Mississippi, Texas, Nevada, and Oklahoma.

What state has the lowest abortion rate?

In 2022, the states with the highest rates of abortion per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 years in the United States were New Mexico, Illinois, and Kansas. The states with the lowest rates of abortion were Missouri and South Dakota.

Which states are the most pro-abortion?

A majority of residents in most states say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. In four states, at least three-quarters of residents support abortion rights. These include Hawaii (79%), Massachusetts (78%), Nevada (76%), and Vermont (76%).