Policy Tracker: Exceptions to State Abortion Bans and Early Gestational Limits

Last updated on May 1, 2024

20

states have abortion bans or early gestational limits in effect

5

states have no health exception

10

states have no rape or incest exception 

13

states have no fatal fetal anomaly exception 

Abortion is currently banned in 14 states and 6 states have early gestational limits between 6 weeks and 15 weeks in effect. Nearly all of these bans include exceptions, which generally fall into four categories: to prevent the death of the pregnant person, when there is risk to the health of the pregnant person, when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, and when there is a lethal fetal anomaly. Some states have more than one abortion ban or restriction in place. The maps below illustrate the exceptions in each state’s most restrictive gestational limit or total ban. For details hover over each state to read the rollover.  

For more information on the status of state abortion bans, please visit our Abortion in the United States Dashboard.