Restrictions

Delaware law generally prohibits abortion after viability^[1]DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24, § 1790 (b). and limits public funding for abortion.^[2]16 DEL. ADMIN. CODE §§ 1.15, 1.2, 2.2. Delaware law generally requires that a parent or legal guardian be notified prior to a minor’s abortion;^[3]DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 24, § 1783 (1). alternatively, a judge can approve a minor’s petition without parental notification.^[4]Id. § 1783 (2); Id. § 1784.

Delaware requires abortion providers to submit reports to the state.^[5]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.^[6]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.^[7]See, e.g., id. § 1789B; Id. § 1789.

State Protections

Delaware law includes express statutory protections for abortion.^[8]Id. § 1790.

Post-Roe Prohibitions

Delaware has repealed or amended its pre-Roe bans.^[9]DEL.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 tit. 24 §§ 1793, 1794 repealed by 81 Del.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 On June 29, 2022, Delaware enacted interstate protections for abortion providers and helpers who perform or assist in reproductive healthcare services permitted under Delaware law.^[10]H.B. 455, 2022 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Del. 2022).

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 State law includes express protections for abortion and, in 2021, Delaware repealed its final pre-Roe ban.