The legality of abortion in the United States varies by state. After the Supreme Courts decision in Roe v. Wade, abortion was legal throughout the country for 49 years. However, since the overturning of Roe, abortion access and laws have become more complex and vary by state.
As of 2022, abortion is protected by state law in 21 states and the District of Columbia. On the other hand, 26 states and three territories have laws that severely limit or prohibit abortion, putting access to care at risk. These states are often referred to as "abortion deserts," where it is illegal or difficult to access abortion services, mainly in the South.
The remaining states fall into three categories:
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Illegal: States that ban abortion entirely and enforce those bans through criminal penalties are characterized as "Illegal". It is unclear how many states fall into this category, but some sources suggest that Idaho and Indiana have recently enforced total bans on abortion.
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Hostile: These states and territories have expressed a desire to prohibit abortion entirely and are extremely vulnerable to the revival of old abortion bans or the enactment of new ones. None of them has legal protections for abortion.
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Expanded Access: These states and territories have laws that protect and expand access to abortion services.
The following table provides a summary of the legal status of abortion in some states:...
