How states enforce anti-abortion laws – By Oriana Gonzalez (Axios) / June 24, 2022
In the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and its other precedents, penalties for abortion providers are expected to become more severe, and abortion rights advocates fear they could more forcefully target patients seeking abortions.
Where it stands: Currently, penalties for violating abortion laws vary widely by state, and many state laws specifically say a patient getting an abortion cannot be prosecuted. But that may soon change.
The current penalties abortion providers face
Current penalties for abortion providers vary in each state.
- Alabama is the only state where performing an abortion of a viable fetus is punishable by life imprisonment.
- In Mississippi, performing an abortion of a viable fetus is a felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison. If a patient dies during the procedure, the provider could be charged with murder.
- In other states, including Indiana, Florida and Missouri, violating abortion laws is also considered a felony punishable by large fines and/or imprisonment for anywhere between one and 15 years.
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