By Gabriella Borter and Sharon Bernstein
(Reuters) – Fights over abortion are heating up in capitals across the United States as lawmakers wrestle with how much to restrict or expand access after the US Supreme Court ruled Roe v. Wade lifted.
Here’s a snapshot of state legislation designed to limit or protect access to abortion in 2023.
RESTRICTIONS
FLORIDA: Republican lawmakers in Florida are considering a six-week abortion ban that includes exceptions for rape and incest but makes no explicit exceptions for mother’s life and health. Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would sign a six-week ban if passed by the state’s Republican-dominated legislature. A 15-week ban is now in effect and is being challenged in court.
KANSAS: Although the Kansans voted in favor of state abortion rights in a ballot last year, the Republican-led Senate passed a ban on prescribing abortion pills via telemedicine. The House is considering the measure.
IDAHO: Idaho legislators have enacted legislation that would make it illegal to assist a minor to have an abortion in another state without permission from a parent or guardian. Perpetrators face two to five years in prison. The Republican-led state is currently enforcing a total ban on abortion.
MONTANA: The Republican-led state Senate has passed legislation aimed at overturning a 1999 Supreme Court ruling that found the state constitution protects the right to an abortion. That ruling prevented lawmakers in the conservative state from restricting abortion beyond the current 24-week limit. The bill will next be considered by the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives passed legislation in March that would ban abortion after 12 weeks and is also considering a bill that would restrict access to abortions for Medicaid patients.
NEBRASKA: Republicans in Nebraska’s 50-seat unicameral legislature have introduced a six-week abortion ban. While supporters say they have a narrow majority to bring the law forward for consideration, a Republican member has proposed changing it to allow abortions up to 12 weeks. Abortion is currently legal in the state for up to 22 weeks.
NORTH DAKOTA: The state Supreme Court in March upheld an injunction blocking enforcement of an anti-abortion law that went into effect when Roe was overturned. The ban is blocked while a lawsuit seeking to overturn it is heard by state courts. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are introducing a bill to allow abortions for rape and incest before the sixth week of pregnancy to clarify the ban.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Despite the state Supreme Court recently overturning a six-week abortion ban by a 3-2 vote, Republicans this year introduced a near-total abortion ban and a six-week ban. Both bills passed a chamber; The Senate passed the six-week ban, which includes some exceptions, and the House of Representatives passed the near-total ban.
TEXAS: While abortion is completely banned in Texas with very limited exceptions, Republican state officials have passed legislation that would force Internet service providers to block websites that offer abortion pills or provide information about how to obtain an abortion.
UTAH: Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation in March banning the licensing of abortion clinics, which abortion rights advocates say would effectively prevent access in the state. Abortion is currently banned in Utah after 18 weeks.
WYOMING: The Republican-led Legislature passed legislation in March banning the use or prescription of medicated abortion pills, and the legislation now goes to Republican Gov. Mark Gordon. Abortion is legal until viable, about 24 weeks, while a state court considers a challenge to a near-total abortion ban.
WEST VIRGINIA: Republican state senators have introduced a bill to remove exceptions for rape and incest from the state’s near-total ban on abortion, which is currently in effect.
PROTECTION
CALIFORNIA: A Democratic senator has introduced legislation to protect doctors who prescribe medicated abortion pills to patients in other states.
MICHIGAN – The Democrat-led Legislature passed a measure in March to repeal portions of a 1931 law criminalizing abortion and is still considering legislation to repeal other sections of the old law. Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who must sign off on any measure passed in order to make it law, is a pro-choice advocate.
ILLINOIS: Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation in January protecting out-of-state abortion providers and patients from legal attacks by other states.
MINNESOTA: Democratic Gov. Tim Walz in January signed legislation passed by the new Democratic majority of the Minnesota legislature codifying the right to abortion in state law and a right to contraception and fertility treatment. House Democrats have introduced legislation to protect abortion providers and patients from legal attacks by other states.
OHIO: The Attorney General in March upheld a petition to include a constitutional amendment in the November 2023 vote that would assert an abortion right. The election proposal next goes to the Ohio Election Committee for consideration.
(Reporting by Gabriella Borter in Washington, DC, and Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California.; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Matthew Lewis)
Source : news.yahoo.com