# U.S. regulations and restrictions on Abortion **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 19, 2005, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532 "2005-01-19T14:05:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/1 "2005-01-19T14:05:56Z")
In GQ for a reason, not looking to debate. Just want to know in the United Staes what regulations and restrictions are currently placed on Abortion. Looking for a comprehensive list. Also, do abortion laws set at a Federal level allow for variations a State levels? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/2 "2005-01-19T15:49:01Z")
Some states have restrictions. Some have been upheld in the Supreme Courts, others have not, and still others haven’t been tested yet. There are also various abortion laws on the books. Roe v. Wade invalidated those that made abortion illegal, but if it were reversed completely (I don’t think thats as likely as various restrictions being upheld\*), then the state laws would govern the rules in each state. \*th’ Supreme Court follows th’ illiction returns." ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/3 "2005-01-19T16:25:25Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Also, do abortion laws set at a Federal level allow for variations a State levels? Most abortion laws are set at the state level. There are guidelines from the US Supreme Court that invalidated some state laws, but the majority of the actual legislation is at the state level. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/4 "2005-01-19T17:28:23Z")
Since these regulations are mostly done at the state level it is too hard to list abortion regulations here. If you are interested though some people have collected a (seemingly) comprehensive list. [State Abortion Laws: A Survey](http://members.aol.com/abtrbng/stablw.htm) Also, _Roe v. Wade_ is not so much the main precedent for abortion in the US anymore. It has largely been supplanted by _Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833_. The SCOTUS upheld the basic premise of Roe in as much as abortion cannot be outlawed but Casey allows greater restrictions than Roe did. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/5 "2005-01-19T18:32:02Z")
Note that there are federal abotion regulations. In 2003, Congress passed a federal ban on so-called partial birth abortions. Enforcement of the ban has been enjoined by some federal judges, so it does not apply uniformly throughout the country (and I don’t know if it’s currently in force anywhere, actually). However, that case hasn’t been to the Supreme Court yet, so it’s an open question as to whether it will ever be enforced or struck down. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/6 "2005-01-19T18:48:58Z")
Are there any states in which abortion on demand is illegal, no ifs ands or buts? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/7 "2005-01-19T19:03:05Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Are there any states in which abortion on demand is illegal, no ifs ands or buts? Nope. While _Planned Parenthood v. Casey_ in 1992 allowed for greater restrictions on abortion (such as upholding parental notification laws IIRC) it did not go so far as to overturn _Roe v. Wade_ which, at the bottom, stipulates that abortions cannot be completely outlawed. Since the Supreme Court determines constitutional questions and there is no higher law than the constitution no state or even the federal government can ban abortions completely. The only way to do so will be the SCOTUS reversing _Roe_. Whether you think the SCOTUS went too far in _Roe_ is another debate and one that has been done many times in GD. If you are interested do a search for it there. ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/8 "2005-01-19T19:09:27Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Are there any states in which abortion on demand is illegal, no ifs ands or buts? I do not believe there are states in which anything is illegal, no ifs ands or buts. But If I remember correctly, Virginia recognizes fetuses(feti?) as citizens that have full rights, so theoretically you could be cpnvicted for murder or manslaughter, however it would be overturned in an appeals court based on federal precedent. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/9 "2005-01-19T19:16:23Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Nope. While _Planned Parenthood v. Casey_ in 1992 allowed for greater restrictions on abortion (such as upholding parental notification laws IIRC) it did not go so far as to overturn _Roe v. Wade_ which, at the bottom, stipulates that abortions cannot be completely outlawed. Since the Supreme Court determines constitutional questions and there is no higher law than the constitution no state or even the federal government can ban abortions completely. The only way to do so will be the SCOTUS reversing _Roe_. > > Whether you think the SCOTUS went too far in _Roe_ is another debate and one that has been done many times in GD. If you are interested do a search for it there. I was under the impression that a SCOTUS case from 1994 or so placed the matter back in the hands of the states, so to speak. IOW, the SCOTUS didn’t _overturn_ Roe v. Wade, but allowed the states to deal with it on a state-by-state basis. But the states are still forbidden from enacting an outright ban on abortion? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/10 "2005-01-19T19:23:27Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I was under the impression that a SCOTUS case from 1994 or so placed the matter back in the hands of the states, so to speak. I think you are thinking of _Casey_ but I am no constitutional law expert so there may have been something else I am forgetting. This should answer your question: > [@](#): > > In brief, current Supreme Court rulings allow the individual states to regulate abortion in the following ways: > > ``` > * Banning elective abortions after viability; > * Requiring parental consent or notice before a minor can obtain an abortion, although usually a "judicial bypass" option must be made available; > * Requiring waiting periods before an abortion may be performed. (Usually 24-48 hours.); > * Requiring informed consent or counseling be obtained before an abortion. (States often mandate what information must be presented.); > * Requiring certain kinds of record keeping; > > ``` > > Each state addresses these matters independently and what laws are passed or enforced is a legislative decision, and, more broadly speaking, a function of the political system. > > Recently some states have passed bans on “Partial-birth” Abortions, and it is likely more will consider it in the future. However, these procedural bans have not faired well in the courts… > > SOURCE: [http://members.aol.com/abtrbng/abortl.htm](http://members.aol.com/abtrbng/abortl.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/11 "2005-01-19T20:03:22Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Since the Supreme Court determines constitutional questions and there is no higher law than the constitution no state or even the federal government can ban abortions completely. The only way to do so will be the SCOTUS reversing _Roe_. Couldn’t the states attempt a Constitutional Ammendment? If such an unlikly event did occur SCOTUS then would be required to enforce a ban. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/12 "2005-01-19T20:10:38Z")
> [@Si Amigo](#): > > Couldn’t the states attempt a Constitutional Ammendment? If such an unlikly event did occur SCOTUS then would be required to enforce a ban. ☹ Sure they could and then SCOTUS would be bound to uphold it. Thing is a Constitutional Amendment is a very difficult thing to get through (as it should be…founding fathers didn’t want that document messed with lightly which was a wise move). I guarantee you if anti-abortion advocates thought they had the votes to get an amendment through they’d be doing it (and vice versa with pro-choice advocates). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/13 "2005-01-19T21:46:51Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I guarantee you if anti-abortion advocates thought they had the votes to get an amendment through they’d be doing it (and vice versa with pro-choice advocates). Indeed, for years both sides have tried to get a consitutional amendment to support their position. This scares the politicians spitless. If “Social Security is the third rail of American politics” then abortion is the whole damn electrical grid. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-regulations-and-restrictions-on-abortion/285532/14 "2005-01-20T13:45:09Z")
Thanks, **Whack-a-Mole**! I kinda figured this was the kind of question that would be best answered by simply providing a good link. The link that you provided was just what I was looking for. A few thinks from the link that I’m not entirely clear on. How strictly defined is “Post-Viability”? Is it subjective? Is there a clear dividing line based on how many weeks along the pregnancy is? Are their certain criteria that are held in comparison the the individual fetus’ development? Is there a single working definition or does it vary from state to state? In states where there are no Post-Viability Bans is abortion allowed all the way up into the final weeks of pregnancy? Also, how are “Informed Consent” laws defined?