Abortion in Louisiana is illegal as of August 1, 2022.[1][2]
In 2022, Governor John Bel Edwards signed a law criminalizing abortion providers. An earlier version of the bill had also sought to criminalize abortion seekers, but this was vehemently opposed by both opponents and advocates of abortion rights.[3] In 2023, some lawmakers proposed adding exceptions for rape and incest, but these proposals were defeated.[4] Louisiana is one of the most anti-abortion states in the country; with state residents approving a constitutional amendment banning legal recognition of the procedure in 2020.[5]
In 2024, Governor Jeff Landry signed a law that classifies the abortion-inducing drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances.[6]
A 2022 LSU poll found that 49% thought abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, and 46% thought it should be legal. Among Democrats, the rate of support increased from 51% to 74% after a similar poll in 2016, while there was little change among Republicans.[7] The 2023 American Values Atlas reported that, in their most recent survey, 53% of people from Louisiana said that abortion should be legal in all or most cases.[8]
- ^ "Acts 2019, No. 31, §1". legis.la.gov. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "Louisiana abortion ban reinstated, clinics halt procedures". August 1, 2022.
- ^ Rojas, Rick; Mzezewa, Tariro (May 12, 2022). "After Tense Debate, Louisiana Scraps Plan to Classify Abortion as Homicide". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Cline, Sara (May 13, 2023). "Rape, Incest Exceptions To Louisiana Abortion Ban Rejected By GOP Lawmakers". HuffPost. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ "Louisiana". Center for Reproductive Rights. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ McGill, Kevin (May 24, 2024). "Louisiana Gov. Signs Bill Making Abortion Drugs Controlled Dangerous Substances". HuffPost. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Palermo, Jeff. "LSU Survey: Louisiana residents split on abortion, but the percentage of Democrats who are pro-choice increases". louisianaradionetwork.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Abortion Views in All 50 States: Findings from PRRI's 2023 American Values Atlas | PRRI". PRRI | At the intersection of religion, values, and public life. May 2, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.