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In May, Governor Kay Ivey signed the country’s most restrictive anti-abortion bill, causing a nationwide debate over challenging the constitutional status of Roe V. Wade. Roe V. Wade was a 1973 landmark decision by the US Supreme Court that banned state laws from making abortions unconstitutional. However, with Donald Trump in the White House and Brett Kavanaugh on the US Supreme Court, conservatives are more than willing to challenge Roe V. Wade.
The laws that have been passed challenging Planned Parenthood, range from minor to severe. Alabama’s anti-abortion laws are the strictest in the country, with a near total ban of abortion after six weeks. This intense measure makes it a punishable felony up to 99 years for doctors to perform abortion procedures. Incest or rape victims are not excluded from this law. The only exception is when the woman's' health is at risk.
The Heartbeat Bill passed in Georgia, Kentucky, and Ohio make abortion illegal after detection of a fetus heartbeat, also referred to as the “fetal heartbeat.” This detection can be made in an ultrasound within six weeks into a pregnancy. Not even long enough for women to be aware they are pregnant. Indiana and North Dakota have minor abortion regulations, banning the use of clamps and forceps during the second trimester of abortions.
Here is a list of all the states that so far have passed initiation of anti-abortion laws:
Louisiana
Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards signed the Heartbeat Bill May 30th prohibiting abortion when a heartbeat is detected. The law does not give exceptions for rape and incest. Exceptions are only made if the woman’s health is substantially severe or the pregnancy is to be found futile.
The odd case about this law is dependent upon Mississippi and will only take place if the neighboring state will partake in the serial abortion wave. With this being the case Louisiana may not be persisting with other anti-abortion states, as a federal judge has blocked Mississippi from banning abortions as early of six weeks.
Alabama
Republican Governor Kay Ivey signed the anti-abortion law, limiting abortions to take place after six months. Making it a felony for doctors to perform the procedure. The only exceptions are when a woman’s health is at risk. The Republican rejected the Alabama legislature proposal to add exceptions to the bill such as incest and rape.
Arkansas
Most of the debate about strict abortion laws started with Alabama. When in fact Arkansas was one of the first to make a major move. In March, Governor Asa Hutchinson signed abortion measures, banning abortion 18 weeks into pregnancy. Unlike Alabama, the measure includes exceptions such as rape and incest, along with medical emergencies.
Georgia
LIFE (Living Infants Fairness and Equality) Act was signed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp in May; prohibiting abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected by doctors or after eight weeks into the pregnancy. Along with Arkansas, Georgia has made exceptions for rape and incest cases if a woman files a police report. The law is also inclusive of women with health conditions and if their life is at risk. However, with Georgia being a booming and thriving entrainment state in the country, many companies have threatened to boycott Georgia over abortion restrictions.
Walt Disney Company CEO, Bob Iger told Reuters that it would be difficult for the film studio to continue working in Georgia if the bill becomes law. Netflix aside with Walt Disney, and has also threatened to pull out of filming in the southern state.
Indiana
Indiana’s abortion law is not as outlandish as other states. The use of medical instruments such as clamps, forceps, and scissors to remove a fetus after the second trimester is in effect to be banned July 1st. The only exception would be to save a woman’s life or prevent the woman from serious health risk.
Kentucky
Two abortion laws were passed in Kentucky this year. One law is the heartbeat bill, and the other law is for aborting a fetus for its race, gender, and/or disability. Both of these measures have been temporarily blocked by a judge. However, in 2018 a federal judge banned dilation and evacuation abortion procedure performed after the 14th week of pregnancy.
Mississippi
In March, Mississippi banned abortions once a fetus’ heartbeat was detected. If physicians perform illegal abortions, the induvial(s) could spend up to six months in prison. July 1st is when the law was originally set to go into effect. However, a federal judge ruled a law stating, “Threatens immediate harm to women's rights” and “prevents a woman's free choice, which is central to personal dignity and autonomy.”
Missouri
Governor Mike Parson signed a bill in May, banning abortions at the eighth week of pregnancy. Rape or incest are not included exceptions, but medical emergencies such as a woman’s life being at risk are exempt. Physicians who perform abortions on or beyond the eighth week of pregnancy could serve five to 15 years in prison.
North Dakota
Likewise, to Indiana, North Dakota Republican Governor Dough Burgum signed a bill in April that makes it illegal for physicians to use clamps, scissors, and forceps to remove the fetus during the second trimester. A $10,000 fine will be fined to doctors that perform the procedure with a charged felony up to five years in prison. Exceptions are made when a woman’s health is at risk and other medical emergencies.
Ohio
Governor Mike DeWine signed the heartbeat bill back in April, along with other states that have passed such measures prohibiting the procedure at six weeks and beyond. The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood are challenging the law by insisting a federal judge to block the measure before it takes effect on July 10.
Utah
In March, Utah lawmakers banned abortions after 18 weeks of pregnancy. If an abortion procedure is performed after 18 weeks, Republican Governor Gary Herbert signed a law imposing criminal penalties in violation of the statute.
A federal judge blocked the law from going into effect and The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood are challenging the law.
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