Abortion is a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. The legality of abortion has been litigated in the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts since the 1973 case of Roe v. Wade.

In 2022, in the case titled Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, the Supreme Court reversed its decision in Roe v. Wade. The legality of abortion—including access to the procedure and any restrictions on it—is now determined on a state by state basis, with each state's abortion laws applying only within its borders.

In Louisiana (LA), abortion laws have been significantly impacted by the 2022 Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to regulate abortion without the federal framework previously established. Following this decision, Louisiana's trigger laws, which were designed to take effect if Roe were ever overturned, were activated. These laws include the Louisiana Human Life Protection Act, which bans abortions from the moment of fertilization, except in limited circumstances such as to prevent the death or substantial risk of death due to a physical condition, or to prevent the serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ of a pregnant woman. There are no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The law also includes penalties for providers who perform abortions outside of these exceptions. However, legal challenges and temporary restraining orders may affect the enforcement of these laws, so the current status can be fluid and subject to change. Individuals seeking or providing abortions in Louisiana should consult with an attorney to understand the latest legal developments and how they apply.