Restrictions

Connecticut law generally prohibits abortion post-viability and during the third trimester.^[1]CONN. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 19a-602(b); CONN. AGENCIES REGS. § 19-13-D54(h). Connecticut’s targeted regulation of abortion providers (TRAP) laws include requirements related to facilities^[2]CONN. AGENCIES REGS. § 19-13-D54(c)-(d); id. § 19a-116-1. and reporting.^[3]Id. § 19-13-D54(b).

State Protections

Connecticut law includes an express statutory protection for abortion.^[4]CONN. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 19a-602(a). See also Meleney-Distassio v. Weinstein, No. FSTCV136018746S, 2014 WL 7462584, at *3 (Conn. Super. Ct. Nov. 20, 2014) (“[T]he proposition that with respect … Continue reading It states:

The decision to terminate a pregnancy prior to the viability of the fetus shall be solely that of the pregnant patient in consultation with the patient’s physician or, … the patient’s advanced practice registered nurse, nurse-midwife or physician assistant.

Connecticut funds medically necessary abortions ^[5]Doe v. Maher, 40 Conn. Supp. 394, 515 A.2d 134 (Conn. Super. Ct. 1986); CONN. OP. ATT’Y GEN. NO. 1998-022 (Nov. 16, 1998). and allows advanced practice registered nurses, nurse-midwives, and physician assistants to provide abortion care in addition to physicians. ^[6]S.H.B. 5414, 2022 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Co. 2022), amending Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 19a-602. The state prohibits deceptive advertising by Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs).^[7]2021 Conn. Acts 21-17, § 2 (Reg. Sess.). In 2022 and 2023, Connecticut enacted interstate shield laws protecting providers, patients, and people who help others access abortion from licensure consequences^[8]H.B. 6733, 2023 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Conn. 2023). and the reach of out-of-state investigations and legal actions and the disclosure of information.^[9]Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 486, 488; Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 54-162. Interstate shield protections extend to gender affirming care.^[10]H.B. 6941, 2023 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Conn. 2023). The state enacted a data privacy law to safeguard reproductive health data and prohibit the use of geofencing to track, gather, and send consumer data.^[11]S.B. 3, 2023 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Conn. 2023).

Post-Roe Prohibitions

Connecticut repealed its pre-Roe ban in 1990.^[12]CONN. GEN. STAT. ANN. §§ 53-29 to 53-31 (West 1960) repealed by 1990 Conn. Acts 90-113, §4 (Reg. Sess.). and, in 2022, enacted interstate protections for abortion providers and helpers who perform or assist in reproductive healthcare services permitted under Connecticut law.^[13] S.H.B. 5414, 2022 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Co. 2022).

Conclusion

Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe, abortion will remain legal in Connecticut. State law protects abortion and Connecticut has enacted additional laws to expand abortion access.