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

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

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.


ACLU files lawsuit to block Ohio's six-week abortion ban

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and law firm WilmerHale [filed a lawsuit[(documents/verifiedcomplaint.pdf>) Wednesday to block the state's six-week ban from going into effect.

Following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade on June 24, a federal judge in Ohio allowed the state to reinstate its previously blocked ban.

The law, which was originally passed in 2019, prevents abortions from occurring after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which typically occurs around six weeks, before many women know they're pregnant.

"We ask the Ohio Supreme Court to stop enforcement of Senate Bill 23," Freda Levenson, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio, said in a statement. "Absent action from the court, many Ohioans will be forced to give birth against their will, many will have illegal or dangerous abortions, and some will die."

The plaintiffs said they are asking the Ohio Supreme Court to block the ban and to declare it unconstitutional.


Nevada governor signs executive order strengthening abortion protections

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed an executive order "ensuring safe access to abortions for women seeking refuge from restrictive laws in their state."

The order grants protection to abortion providers and denies extradition requests if the woman receives an abortion in Nevada but lives in a state where abortion is banned.

"Reproductive health care is a basic human right -- We are committed to ensuring safe access to abortions for women seeking refuge from the restrictive laws in their state," Sisolak said.

-ABC News' Marilyn Heck


Wisconsin governor challenges state's pre-Roe ban

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said he and the state's attorney general are filing a challenge to a pre-Roe abortion law.

The law dates back to 1849 and makes an abortion a felony in Wisconsin, even in cases of rape or incest.

Confusion surrounding the law and whether it is enforceable caused abortion providers in Wisconsin to suspend abortion procedures in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“Access to safe and legal abortion stopped in Wisconsin last Friday. With this lawsuit, we are fighting to restore reproductive freedom in Wisconsin,” Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement.

He continued, “The Republican-led legislature’s failure to act during last week’s special session has left Wisconsin law regarding abortion in a state of uncertainty. This lawsuit is asking the court to clarify that Wisconsin’s 19th century abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest has not gone back into effect.”

-ABC News' Ely Brown



Tennessee abortion ban goes into effect

Tennessee’s ban on abortion starting at around six weeks of pregnancy has gone into effect after a federal court removed an injunction blocking the law in 2020.

The law prohibits the procedure after a fetal heartbeat can be detected and if the providers knows the woman is seeking an abortion due to the fetus's sex or race or due to a Down syndrome diagnosis.

The only exception is if the woman's life is in danger.

“This is just the beginning,” Rabia Muqaddam, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights -- one of the groups that filed a lawsuit that initially blocked the law -- said in a statement.

She continued, “We will continue to see many, many states ban abortion, creating huge abortion deserts in parts of this country resulting in serious harm to people and their families. We will do everything we can to maintain as much abortion access in Tennessee as possible -- for as long as possible.”

Tennessee is one of at least 13 states that have ceased nearly all abortion services.