Many people have his or her own opinion on the debate over abortion. But where does the law stand? Here is a quick overview of abortion laws in Vermont.
Federal Abortion Laws
In the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a woman, in consultation with her physician, has a constitutionally protected right to choose abortion in the early stages of pregnancy-that is, before viability. In 1992, the Court upheld the basic right to abortion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey . However, it also expanded the ability of the states to enact all but the most extreme restrictions on women's access to abortion.
The most common restrictions in effect are parental notification or consent requirements for minors, limitations on public funding, and unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations on abortion facilities.
Vermont Abortion Laws
Vermont does not have any of the major types of abortion restrictions—such as waiting periods, mandated parental involvement or limitations on publicly funded abortions—often found in other states.
Alternatives to Abortion
Vermont does not have a law requiring that alternatives to abortion be discussed with a patient before an abortion is performed.
Who May Perform an Abortion in Vermont?
Vermont is one of only a very few states that allow abortions to be performed by non-physicians (physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurse mid-wives). The only statute that pertains to abortion in Vermont is a requirement that each "induced termination of pregnancy" be reported to the Vermont Department of Health within seven (7) days, for the purposes of data collection.
The basic provisions of Vermont's abortion laws are listed in the following chart. See FindLaw's Reproductive Rights section for additional articles and resources.
| Code Section | Tit.13 §§101 to 104 |
| Statutory Definition of Illegal Abortion | N/A |
| Statutory Definition of Legal Abortion | It is legal for an abortion to be performed in Vermont at any stage of pregnancy for any reason or for no reason. |
| Penalty for Unlawful Abortion | N/A |
| Consent Requirements | N/A |
| Residency Requirements for Patients | N/A |
| Parental Notification | There is no requirement that parents be informed |
Note: Vermont's abortion laws are constantly changing--contact a Vermont constitutional law attorney , or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Vermont Abortion Laws: Related Resources
