Trigger laws are state-level abortion bans that would automatically take effect if the Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that established the right to abortion nationwide. These laws are designed to make it easier for states to implement their own restrictions on abortion, and could effectively ban abortion in some states.
As of September 2021, 11 states have trigger laws in place that would automatically ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. These states are Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. These trigger laws vary in their specifics, but generally prohibit abortions at all stages of pregnancy, with exceptions for cases where the mother's life is in danger.
Trigger laws reflect the ongoing political and legal battles over abortion rights in the United States, and highlight the potential for significant changes in the legal landscape surrounding abortion in the coming years. While the future of Roe v. Wade remains uncertain, it is clear that the issue of abortion will continue to be a contentious and closely-watched topic in the United States.
Arkansas: Arkansas passed a trigger law in 2019 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect 90 days after a Supreme Court decision, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
Idaho: Idaho passed a trigger law in 2018 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect immediately, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
Kentucky: Kentucky passed a trigger law in 2019 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect 90 days after a Supreme Court decision, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
Louisiana: Louisiana passed a trigger law in 2006 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect immediately, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
Mississippi: Mississippi passed a trigger law in 2007 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect immediately, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
Missouri: Missouri passed a trigger law in 2019 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect 30 days after a Supreme Court decision, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
North Dakota: North Dakota passed a trigger law in 2007 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect immediately, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
Ohio: Ohio passed a trigger law in 2019 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect immediately, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
South Carolina: South Carolina passed a trigger law in 2021 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect immediately, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
Tennessee: Tennessee passed a trigger law in 2019 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect immediately, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
Texas: Texas passed a trigger law in 2021 that would ban abortion if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. The law would take effect immediately, and would only allow exceptions to save the life of the mother.
It's important to note that trigger laws do not automatically ban abortion in these states, but rather serve as a legal mechanism that would make it possible for state legislatures to pass such bans if the Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade.