Since the Dobbs decision ended federal protections for abortion rights, states have implemented restrictions beyond outright bans to further limit the procedure. Many of these laws have primarily targeted abortion providers, such as doctors and hospitals.
However, some states are now considering measures that could lead to criminal charges—including murder and manslaughter—against women who undergo abortions. Lawmakers in Indiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Carolina have introduced bills that would amend homicide statutes to recognize fertilized eggs and fetuses as human lives from the moment of conception. Though none of these bills have advanced out of committee, their multiple co-sponsors suggest growing support.
While the proposed laws vary slightly, all include exceptions for cases where the mother’s life is at risk or for spontaneous miscarriages. Even so, healthcare providers in states with strict abortion laws have already faced uncertainty about when they can legally intervene.
The potential impact on in vitro fertilization (IVF) is also unclear, as the procedure often involves the destruction of embryos. Previous laws expanding the definition of personhood have raised legal concerns about IVF, as seen in Alabama, where the state Supreme Court ruled that IVF embryos are legally considered children. However, following backlash—even from anti-abortion Republicans like Donald Trump—Alabama passed legislation to safeguard IVF access.
