Abortion was legalized by the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, allowing states to regulate the procedure. There are deeply divided opinions over the legality and regulation of abortion, as reflected by state laws and permitting requirements for abortion providers. While some states have made access to abortion very difficult for the majority of women, others have focused their laws on maintaining safe clinics and procedures.
New Hampshire Abortion Laws: Overview
New Hampshire abortion restrictions are relatively mild, but the state does require minors to get a parent or guardian's permission 48 hours before the abortion. The following chart contains additional details of abortion laws in New Hampshire, with links to related sources. See FindLaw's Abortion section for additional articles.
| Code Section | New Hampshire Statutes, Title X, section 132:23, et seq. |
| Statutory Definition of Abortion | "Abortion" means the use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance or device intentionally to terminate the pregnancy of a female known to be pregnant with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of the child after live birth, or to remove an ectopic pregnancy or the products from a spontaneous miscarriage. (132:32) |
| Protected Access to Clinics ("Buffer Zones") |
No person shall knowingly enter or remain on a public way or sidewalk adjacent to a reproductive health care facility within a radius up to 25 feet of any portion of an entrance, exit, or driveway of a reproductive health care facility (does not include patients or health care workers entering and leaving the facility, or others with legitimate reasons to be there). (132:38) |
| Penalty for Unlawful Abortion | - |
| Consent Requirements | Minor must obtain written consent from a parent or guardian at least 48 hours prior to the procedure. |
| Residency Requirements for Patients | - |
| Public Funding Available for Abortion? | Yes, in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment |
Note: State laws are always subject to change at any time through the enactment of newly signed legislation or other means, such as higher court decisions. You should contact a New Hampshire health care attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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New Hampshire Abortion Laws: Related Resources
