Abortion is one of the most controversial legal topics in the United States, involving religious ideology, personal freedom, and gender politics. While the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion at the federal level in 1973 (Roe v. Wade ), a number of states have whittled away at these federal protections with very strict zoning laws, residency requirements, and other measures intended to make access to abortion nearly impossible. In fact, tough regulations in many states have resulted in the closure of countless abortion clinics.
Alaska Abortion Laws: Overview
Patients seeking an abortion must have at least 30 days of residency in the state, a licensed M.D. must perform the procedure, and unmarried patients under 17 must obtain parental consent prior to an abortion.
The following chart contains additional details of abortion laws in Alaska, with links to related sources. See FindLaw's Abortion section for additional articles.
| Code Section | 18.16.010-18.16.090 |
| Statutory Definition of Illegal Abortion | Knowingly doesn't meet standards for legal abortion. Partial Birth Abortion (§18.16.050): Partial birth abortion unlawful unless to save life of mother when no other medical procedure would suffice |
| Statutory Definition of Legal Abortion | Terminate pregnancy of nonviable fetus |
| Penalty for Unlawful Abortion | Fine to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years; partial birth abortion: Class C felony |
| Consent Requirements | Of patient or one parent or guardian if unmarried, unemancipated patient less than 17, except in medical emergency or judicial waiver of consent |
| Eligibility Requirements for Judicial Waiver of Parental Consent |
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| Residency Requirements for Patients | 30 days before procedure |
| Physician Licensing Requirements | Licensed M.D., by State Medical Board hospital or facility approved by Dept. of Health & Social Services |
Note: State laws are always subject to change at any time, usually through the enactment of new legislation, but sometimes through higher court decisions or other means. You may want to contact an Alaska family law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Alaska Abortion Laws: Related Resources
