Kentucky ranks near the middle of the pack in some reviews of state abortion laws.
The Bluegrass State ranked at No. 19 in a
study by the pro-choice Guttmacher Institute on abortion restrictions, which placed Oklahoma as the most-restrictive and Oregon, the least.
Americans United for Life also ranked Kentucky near the middle at No. 20 on its 2015 Life List.
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In Kentucky, the group noted, "a physician may not perform an abortion until at least 24 hours after a woman has received information about the probable gestational age of her unborn child, the nature and risks of the proposed abortion procedure, alternatives to abortion, and the medical risks of carrying the pregnancy to term. She must also be told that state-prepared materials are available for her review, that medical assistance may be available, and that the father is liable for child support even if he offered to pay for the abortion."
The state earned a
F grade from NARAL Pro-Choice America on choice-related laws.
According to FindLaw: "Abortion is legal in Kentucky when a medical doctor determines that abortion is necessary in his or her clinical judgment and with the second opinion of a doctor, and the pregnant woman provides informed consent. Abortion is permissible during the first trimester. After viability of the fetus, it’s legal only if necessary to preserve life or health of the woman."
Unemancipated minors in Kentucky must have the consent of parents before they can receive an abortion. Abortions in the Bluegrass State must be performed only by licensed physicians. The state adheres to the federal Medicaid rules for abortion funding, which only allow such public monies to be used if a mother's life is at risk or in cases where a pregnancy occurs from incest or rape.
The state also embraces a Healthcare Freedom of Conscience Law. That allows doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who object in writing to refuse to take part in an abortion procedure. The law also covers those students who are studying nursing and medicine.
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