States introduce new laws after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

Many states are taking action after gaining the power to decide on abortion.

ByMary Kekatos, Katie Kindelan, Nadine El-Bawab, and Melissa Gaffney
Last Updated: June 29, 2022, 5:40 PM EDT

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion, states are taking action.

The court's ruling rolled back constitutional protection for abortion rights, giving each state the power to decide.

Several states had trigger laws in place that immediately banned abortion if Roe was overturned. Others guarantee the right to an abortion under state laws or their constitutions.

Some states are now introducing new laws, emboldened by the Supreme Court's decision.

Latest updates:

Here is how the new is developing. All times Eastern.
Jun 27, 2022, 6:03 PM EDT

Judge issues temporary restraining order on Utah's abortion 'trigger ban'

Utah 3rd District Court Judge Andrew Stone issued a temporary restraining order on Monday blocking Utah's "trigger ban" on abortions.

Plaintiffs have demonstrated “irreparable harm here in allowing this law to go into effect immediately," Stone said. "I think the immediate effects of [what] will occur outweigh any policy interest of the state in stopping abortions immediately. Doctors here are threatened with felonies. The affected women are deprived of safe, local medical treatments to terminate pregnancies."

The temporary restraining order is effective immediately and lasts for 14 days. There will be a preliminary injunction hearing on July 11.

Planned Parenthood filed the challenge on Saturday.

-ABC News' Jenn Watts

Jun 27, 2022, 10:02 AM EDT

Mississippi attorney general certifies state's trigger law

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said Monday she has certified the state's trigger law banning abortion following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade.

"Mississippi's laws to promote life are solid and thanks to the Court's clear and strong opinion in Dobbs, they can now got into effect," she said in a statement posted to Twitter.

She continued, "As we have said throughout the case, Roe v. Wade presented a false choice between a woman's future and her child's life."

In this April 6, 2021, file photo, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, speaks during a news conference in Jackson, Miss.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP, FILE

The ban will go into effect in 10 days.

Under the new law, anyone who performs or attempts to perform an abortion in Mississippi will be charged with a felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The only exceptions are to save the mother's life or if the woman is a victim of rape, provided she has reported the crime to law enforcement.

Jun 25, 2022, 3:40 PM EDT

Planned Parenthood files lawsuit to block Utah abortion ban

Planned Parenthood of Utah announced Saturday that it filed a lawsuit in Utah state court to block the state's ban on abortions at any stage in pregnancy. Planned Parenthood said it would soon seek a temporary restraining order on the ban.

"Yesterday’s decision was devastating, but Planned Parenthood will never stop standing with and fighting for the rights of our patients and providers. Not now, not ever," said Karrie Galloway, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah.

The suit claims that the rights promised under the Utah Constitution are more expansive than those under federal law, and remain unaffected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision, Planned Parenthood said in a statement.

Jun 25, 2022, 3:38 PM EDT

Minnesota governor signs executive order to protect abortion

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order Saturday to protect people seeking or providing abortions in the state from legal repercussions in other states, he said in a Tweet.

Neighboring states are expected to severely restrict abortions, but Walz vowed to protect abortion rights as long as he is in office, according to his tweet.