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 Montana, the legality of abortion is governed by state law, particularly in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and returned the authority to regulate abortion to the states. Montana's constitution has been interpreted to protect the right to privacy, which includes the right to access abortion services. However, there have been legislative efforts to restrict abortion access, including laws that would ban abortion after a certain point in pregnancy and impose other regulations on the procedure. These laws are often subject to litigation, and the current status of abortion rights in Montana can be fluid as court decisions may temporarily block or uphold various restrictions. It is important for individuals seeking or providing abortion services in Montana to stay informed about the latest legal developments and to consult with an attorney if they have specific legal questions or concerns.