Roe v. Wade Overturned: What It Means for Abortion in California, Florida, New Mexico | Where Will It Be Illegal?
The landmark decision Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court on Friday, a decision that eliminates the constitutional right to abortion after almost 50 years.
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote for the majority in the 5-4 decision that Roe was "egregiously wrong from the start."
Greer Donley, a professor specializing in reproductive health care at the University of Pittsburgh Law School, noted in a Politico report that it could take months for all the legal maneuvering to be completed and for the nation to have a more definitive picture over abortion.
Donley said it will be difficult to explain to people the legal landscape on abortion, adding that she is concerned that the legal limbo will lead to "immediate total chaos."
Other states will likely need court action to determine whether states' pre-Roe abortion bans can take effect or enjoined laws restricting access to the procedure can be lifted.
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U.S. States Where Abortion Is Legal
Abortion in Alaska is still legal throughout pregnancy. Meanwhile, in Arizona, abortion is legal until viability for now.
The state's pre-Roe law is enjoined but the state could either try to enforce it or ask a court to allow it to enforce.
However, a 15-week ban will go into effect no later than September 29.
Abortion in California remains legal until viability while abortion in Colorado is legal throughout pregnancy.
Abortion in Florida is legal until viability, but a 15-week ban is slated to take effect on July 1.
In New Mexico, abortion remains legal throughout pregnancy.
Roe v. Wade California
California is currently ramping up legal protections for abortion providers while pouring resources into expanding access as clinics prepare for a possible surge of patients traveling from other states to terminate their pregnancies.
Jodi Hicks, CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said in a Cal Matters news release that abortion remains legal in California.
Hicks added that they are working to ensure that people can access abortion services with as much support and as few barriers as possible regardless of where they come from.
The Planned Parenthood CEO said that they will not turn people away and will find a way to support them so they can get the care they need.
Abortion is expected to take the spotlight in the November election in California.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a joint West Coast commitment to reproductive freedom with governors of Oregon and Washington shortly after the Supreme Court ruling.
If voters were to approve the abortion rights measures on the ballot, it would enshrine "reproductive freedom" in the state Constitution.
U.S. States Where Abortion Is Illegal
Abortion in the state of Alabama could be potentially illegal with the 2019 Human Life Protection Act, which had been allowed by an injection, allowed to go into effect on Friday.
ABC News noted that the measure makes it unlawful "for any person to intentionally perform or attempt to perform an abortion."
It comes with the exception when the pregnancy poses a serious health risk to the unborn child's mother. Same goes with Kentucky and Louisiana.
Abortion in Arkansas is soon to be illegal with Attorney General Leslie Rutledge signing the state's trigger law that would ban abortion.
In Idaho, abortion is seen to be illegal after a trigger law goes into effect after Roe is overturned.
Oklahoma has already banned abortion and will soon become illegal as soon as the state's attorney general certifies the Supreme Court's decision.
South Dakota and Texas also deemed abortion illegal in their state.
READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden Labels Supreme Court Leaked Opinion on Abortion Case as "Radical Decision"
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
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