Download: 2010 State Legislative Wrap Up

In the United States, state legislatures wield enormous power to control women’s access to abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Each year, anti-choice state legislators propose measures intended to restrict women’s access to abortion, including mandatory delays, biased counseling provisions and other burdensome and unnecessary requirements. Hundreds of anti-choice bills are proposed annually and dozens of restrictive laws are passed, making it increasingly difficult for women in many states to access abortion.

2010 was one of the most challenging state legislative sessions for women’s access to abortion in many years. State legislatures considered and enacted some of the most extreme restrictions on abortion in recent memory, as well as passing laws creating many other significant new hurdles. At the same time, pro-choice legislators, advocates and governors continued to stand up for women’s health and rights and in most cases successfully defeated harmful legislation. In addition, legislators and advocates succeeded in enacting new laws designed to improve women’s health and access to some forms of reproductive health care.

Download the full document below.