What does Louisiana’s Abortion Law Say:

It shall be unlawful for a physician or other person to perform an abortion, with or without the consent of the pregnant female.

No person may knowingly administer to, prescribe for, or procure for, or sell to any pregnant woman any medicine, drug, or other substance with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human being. No person may knowingly use or employ any instrument or procedure upon a pregnant woman with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human being (R.S. 40:1061).

Are there any exceptions?

Yes. Abortion shall not mean any one or more of the following acts (R.S. 14:87.1)

• A medical procedure performed with the intention to save the life or preserve the health of an unborn child.

• A medical procedure used to treat spontaneous miscarriage or to remove an ectopic pregnancy.

• The use of methotrexate to treat an ectopic pregnancy.

• The performance of a medical procedure necessary in good faith medical judgment or reasonable medical judgment to prevent the death or substantial risk of death to the pregnant woman due to a physical condition, or to prevent the serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ of a pregnant woman. However, the physician shall make reasonable medical efforts under the circumstances to preserve both the life of the mother and the life of her unborn child in a manner consistent with reasonable medical practice.

• The removal of an unborn child who is deemed to be medically futile. The diagnosis shall be a medical judgment certified by two qualified physicians and recorded in the woman's medical record. The medical procedure shall be performed in a licensed ambulatory surgical center or hospital.

What about contraception?

The law clearly states that it shall not apply to the sale, use, prescription, or administration of a contraceptive or an emergency contraceptive. (R.S. 14:87.1)

"Contraceptive" means any device, measure, drug, chemical, or product, including single-ingredient levonorgestrel, that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the purpose of preventing pregnancy and is intended to be administered prior to the time when a clinically diagnosable pregnancy can be determined, provided that the contraceptive is sold, prescribed, or administered in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. (R.S. 14:87.1)

"Emergency contraceptive" means a drug, chemical, or product, including but not limited to single-ingredient levonorgestrel or ulipristal, that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration designed or intended to be taken after sexual intercourse but prior to the time when a clinically diagnosable pregnancy can be determined, provided that the emergency contraceptive is sold, prescribed, or administered in accordance with manufacturer's instructions or is prescribed in accordance with the standard of care that generally accepted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (R.S. 14:87.1).

For more information about pregnacy prevention, click here.

Information about where to get an abortion in another state. 

• National Abortion Federation (Note: NAF also funds abortion.)

• Planned Parenthood (Note: Look for clinics that list “Abortion Services”)

• GynPages

• Abortion Clinic Pages

• Abortion Care Network

• INeedA

You can also call 1-877-257-0012 or 1-800-230-PLAN for information about clinics.

A GUIDE TO ABORTION IN LOUISIANA by Creative Community League

The guide addresses the changing landscape post-Roe and the recent announcement that all three Louisianal clinics are relocating.

Financial Assistance

Across the United States there are funds providing direct financial assistance to people seeking abortion care.

In Louisiana you can contact:

• The New Orleans Abortion Fund or call 844.442.2678 leave a message and someone will return your call within 1 business day.

• Goldstein Fund

• Louisiana Judicial Bypass Project for minors who are seeking an abortion but do not have parental consent. 

If you are traveling to another state for care, you can speak with a clinic about what financial assistance might be available to you, visit abortionfunds.org to find a fund in the region, or call the NAF hotline (1-800-772-9100) for funding.