In 2011, Alabama passed an unconstitutional 20-week ban on abortion. The law bans all abortions after 20 weeks post-fertilization with only limited exceptions for situations in which an abortion would be necessary to either save a woman’s life or to prevent the risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The law excludes mental health from this narrow health exception and prohibits a physician from performing an abortion even if he or she believes there is a risk that the woman may commit suicide or otherwise harm herself. The ban is currently in effect.
Restrictions:
Unconstitutionally limits abortion by gestational age after viability
Prohibits later abortion except to preserve a woman's life or physical (but not mental) health
Requires second physician in attendance to treat a fetus if it is born alive
Requires second physician to certify necessity of abortion
