Interstate Shield Laws
- Insight
Shield laws protect abortion providers, helpers, and patient medical records from civil and criminal consequences stemming from abortion and reproductive health care provided to out-of-state residents.
As more states ban and restrict abortion, people living in these states are forced to travel hundreds of miles out of state to obtain abortion care. Anti-abortion state lawmakers are now reaching beyond their state borders in an attempt to prohibit abortion entirely.
Interstate shield laws have become critical tools used by abortion access states to protect out-of-state patients in accessing abortion care. According to a #WeCount report issued by the Society of Family Planning, abortion care provided under shield laws played a pivotal role in access for residents of states with total, six-week, 12-week, and 18-week abortion bans.
The Center for Reproductive Rights was the first national reproductive rights organization to advocate for shield laws and has been active in providing technical assistance, testimony and other support for the enactment of these laws.
Currently, shield laws are on the books in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more about these states’ shield laws and other abortion-related laws:
Shield laws by stateLearn more
What Are Shield Laws?
New York’s Strengthened Shield Law Will Further Protect Doctors Prescribing Abortion Medication
Fuel the Fight for Reproductive Rights
Your donation allows us to defend reproductive rights, change policies, and amplify voices around the globe.