Official text first
An entry is published only after we have read the official text of the law, the decision or the guidance. Reports in the media can tell us that something changed, but they are never the source of an entry.
Abortion law news, verified changes to laws around the world
This page lists changes to abortion laws that affect our law cards: new legislation, court decisions, changes to gestational limits and new official guidance. Every entry links to its official source and to the card we updated.
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Region
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Type of change
- New law or amendment
- Court decision
- Law blocked or reinstated
- Change to the gestational limit
- Change to grounds
- Waiting period, counseling or consent rules
- Telehealth rules
- Official health guidance
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Latest legal changes
Effective from
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How we collect legal changes
We follow official publications and authoritative legal databases, not opinions or social media posts.
- Official journals and legislative records of each country and state
- Decisions published by constitutional, supreme and federal courts
- Official guidance of ministries and health departments
- The WHO Global Abortion Policies Database and the Center for Reproductive Rights
- Announcements by national medical societies where they concern how care is provided
When a change is announced, we read the official text, note the date it takes effect and update the law card before publishing the entry here.
How each change is verified
Effective date
A law can be adopted on one date and take effect on another, and a court can block it in between. Each entry gives the date the change takes effect and says whether it applies now.
Card and entry together
Every entry links to the law card it changes. The card shows the new rule, the source and a new verification date, so you always see the same information in both places.
Corrections
If an entry turns out to be wrong or a court reverses a decision, we correct the entry and the card and note the correction at the end of the entry. Write to [email protected] if you see an error.
Categories of change
New law or amendment
A parliament or legislature adopts a new law or changes an existing one, such as the gestational limit, the grounds or the steps required before care.
Court decision
A court rules on whether a law is valid or how it applies. Constitutional court decisions can change the law in a whole country or state.
Law blocked or reinstated
A court stops a law from taking effect, or lifts an earlier block. These changes are frequent in the United States, so state cards show which rule applies while a case continues.
Rules on waiting periods, counseling and consent
Changes to the procedure before care, such as a waiting period, mandatory counseling or rules for minors.
Telehealth rules
Changes to whether licensed clinicians may provide medication abortion through telehealth where the patient is located.
Official health guidance
Updated guidance from a health ministry, a public health service or a national medical society about how care is provided.
What this page is and is not
This is a record of legal facts. We describe what changed, where, from which date and what it means for the law card, in neutral language. We do not publish opinion, commentary on political debates or predictions about future laws. Proposals that are not yet law are not listed as changes.
Where to read the current law
For the law in force today, open the world abortion law map or the abortion laws by state map. Our guide abortion laws by state in 2026 explains the US categories, and our sources and editorial policy describes the full method.
Questions about abortion law news
How quickly do you publish a change?
We publish a change once we have read the official text and updated the law card. The entry shows the date it was published and the date the change takes effect.
Do you report proposed laws?
No. This page lists changes that have been adopted, decided or published officially. Proposals are not law and are not listed.
Why does an entry say a law is blocked?
A court can stop a law from taking effect while a case continues. The entry and the law card show which rule applies in the meantime.
How can I report a change you have not listed?
Write to [email protected] with a link to the official source. We check every report before anything is published.