Delaware
Protected
Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe:
Abortion will remain legal in Delaware. State law includes express protections for abortion and, in 2021, Delaware repealed its final pre-Roe ban.
Restrictions
Delaware law generally prohibits abortion after viability.[1]DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24, § 1790 (b). Delaware law generally requires that a parent or legal guardian be notified prior to a minor’s abortion;[2]DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24, § 1783 (1). alternatively, a judge can approve a minor’s petition without parental notification.[3]Id. § 1783 (2); Id. § 1784.
Delaware requires abortion providers to submit reports to the state.[4]DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 16, § 3133. Delaware allows physicians, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse practitioners, and advanced practice registered nurses to provide abortion care prior to viability.[5]H.B. 455, 2022 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Del. 2022), amending Del. Code Ann. tit. 24, § 1790 (a); H.B. 320, 2022 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Del. 2022), amending Del. Code Ann. tit. 24, § 1790 (c). Providers who violate Delaware’s abortion restrictions may face civil and criminal penalties.[6]See, e.g., id. § 1789B; Id. § 1789.
State Protections
Delaware law includes express statutory protections for abortion.[7]Id. § 1790. In 2022, Delaware enacted an interstate shield law protecting providers, patients, and people who help others access abortion and other reproductive healthcare from professional licensure consequences, the reach of out-of-state investigations and legal actions, and the disclosure of information.[8]Del. Code Ann. tit. 24, § 1790. The state requires public and private coverage of abortion care.[9]H.B. 110, 2024 Leg. Reg. Sess. (Del 2024).
Post-Roe Prohibitions
Delaware has repealed or amended its pre-Roe bans.[10]DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24 §§ 1793, 1794 repealed by 81 Del. Laws ch.35, § 4 (2017); 24 DEL. CODE ANN. § 1790 amended by 81 Del. Laws ch.35, § 4 (2017); Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, §§ 651, 652, 653, … Continue reading
Conclusion
Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe, abortion will remain legal in Delaware. State law includes express protections for abortion and, in 2021, Delaware repealed its final pre-Roe ban.
References
↑1 | DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24, § 1790 (b). |
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↑2 | DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24, § 1783 (1). |
↑3 | Id. § 1783 (2); Id. § 1784. |
↑4 | DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 16, § 3133. |
↑5 | H.B. 455, 2022 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Del. 2022), amending Del. Code Ann. tit. 24, § 1790 (a); H.B. 320, 2022 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Del. 2022), amending Del. Code Ann. tit. 24, § 1790 (c). |
↑6 | See, e.g., id. § 1789B; Id. § 1789. |
↑7 | Id. § 1790. |
↑8 | Del. Code Ann. tit. 24, § 1790. |
↑9 | H.B. 110, 2024 Leg. Reg. Sess. (Del 2024). |
↑10 | DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24 §§ 1793, 1794 repealed by 81 Del. Laws ch.35, § 4 (2017); 24 DEL. CODE ANN. § 1790 amended by 81 Del. Laws ch.35, § 4 (2017); Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, §§ 651, 652, 653, 654 repealed by 83 Del. Laws ch. 200, § 1 (2021). |