The 411 on Abortion Laws

Learn if, how and when a woman may obtain an abortion.

Abortion Controversy - "The controversy over a woman's right to choose to have an abortion will never end," said U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland. The federal judge recently struck down a North Dakota abortion law, considered one of the country's most restrictive. Keep reading to learn about nationwide laws that regulate and limit whether, when and under what circumstances a woman may obtain an abortion. — Patrice Peck(Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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Abortion Controversy - "The controversy over a woman's right to choose to have an abortion will never end," said U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland. The federal judge recently struck down a North Dakota abortion law, considered one of the country's most restrictive. Keep reading to learn about nationwide laws that regulate and limit whether, when and under what circumstances a woman may obtain an abortion. — Patrice Peck(Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Refusal - Individual health care providers are allowed to refuse to participate in an abortion in 46 states. Similarly, 43 states permit institutions the right to refuse to perform abortions. Sixteen of those states limit refusal to religious or private institutions.     (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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Refusal - Individual health care providers are allowed to refuse to participate in an abortion in 46 states. Similarly, 43 states permit institutions the right to refuse to perform abortions. Sixteen of those states limit refusal to religious or private institutions.     (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

State-Mandated Counseling - Before an abortion in 17 states, women must be given specific counseling that addresses information on at least one of the following: the claim of a link between abortion and breast cancer (five states), the ability of a fetus to feel pain (12 states) or long-term mental health consequences for the woman (eight states). (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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State-Mandated Counseling - Before an abortion in 17 states, women must be given specific counseling that addresses information on at least one of the following: the claim of a link between abortion and breast cancer (five states), the ability of a fetus to feel pain (12 states) or long-term mental health consequences for the woman (eight states). (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Hospital and Physician Requirements - In 39 states, a licensed physician is required to perform an abortion, while 18 states mandate the involvement of a second physician after a specified point. Twenty states mandate an abortion to be performed in a hospital after a certain point in the pregnancy.(Photo: Jeff Mitchell US / Reuters)

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Hospital and Physician Requirements - In 39 states, a licensed physician is required to perform an abortion, while 18 states mandate the involvement of a second physician after a specified point. Twenty states mandate an abortion to be performed in a hospital after a certain point in the pregnancy.(Photo: Jeff Mitchell US / Reuters)

Gestational Limits - Abortions are prohibited in 41 states after a specified point in pregnancy, most often fetal viability, which typically varies anywhere from 22 weeks to the third trimester according to studies. This law is generally enforced except when required to protect the woman's health of life. (Photo:  AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Gestational Limits - Abortions are prohibited in 41 states after a specified point in pregnancy, most often fetal viability, which typically varies anywhere from 22 weeks to the third trimester according to studies. This law is generally enforced except when required to protect the woman's health of life. (Photo:  AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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"Partial-Birth" Abortion - A non-medical term, "partial-birth" refers to removing the fetus intact by dilating a pregnant woman's cervix, then delivering the entire body out through the birth canal. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2007. Nineteen states have active laws that prohibit this abortion. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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"Partial-Birth" Abortion - A non-medical term, "partial-birth" refers to removing the fetus intact by dilating a pregnant woman's cervix, then delivering the entire body out through the birth canal. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2007. Nineteen states have active laws that prohibit this abortion. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Public Funding - The use of state funds to pay for abortions is a contentious issue. While 17 states use their own funds to cover all or most medically necessary procedures for local Medicaid enrollees, 32 states and D.C. outlawed such use of funds, not including when the woman's life is in danger or cases of rape and incest — both cases are backed by federal funds. (Photo:  SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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Public Funding - The use of state funds to pay for abortions is a contentious issue. While 17 states use their own funds to cover all or most medically necessary procedures for local Medicaid enrollees, 32 states and D.C. outlawed such use of funds, not including when the woman's life is in danger or cases of rape and incest — both cases are backed by federal funds. (Photo:  SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Coverage by Private Insurance - A majority of states permit women to purchase additional abortion coverage at an additional cost, but nine states restrict coverage of abortion in private insurance plans.(Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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Coverage by Private Insurance - A majority of states permit women to purchase additional abortion coverage at an additional cost, but nine states restrict coverage of abortion in private insurance plans.(Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Waiting Periods - In 26 states, a woman seeking an abortion must wait a specified period of time, typically 24 hours, between when she is counseled and the procedure is performed. Out of those states, nine legally mandate that the woman take two separate trips to the clinic to receive the procedure. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Waiting Periods - In 26 states, a woman seeking an abortion must wait a specified period of time, typically 24 hours, between when she is counseled and the procedure is performed. Out of those states, nine legally mandate that the woman take two separate trips to the clinic to receive the procedure. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Parental Involvement - In the case of minors, 38 states require some kind of parental involvement in an underage person's decision to have an abortion. One or both parents must agree to the procedure in 21 states, while 12 mandate that one or both parents be notified and five require consent and notification. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Stone)

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Parental Involvement - In the case of minors, 38 states require some kind of parental involvement in an underage person's decision to have an abortion. One or both parents must agree to the procedure in 21 states, while 12 mandate that one or both parents be notified and five require consent and notification. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Stone)

More Information - For an in-depth, state-by-state overview of these abortion laws, visit the Guttmacher Institute's website. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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More Information - For an in-depth, state-by-state overview of these abortion laws, visit the Guttmacher Institute's website. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)