Washington state abortion laws track with some other states in the Northwest, which for the most part have a more non-restrictive approach to choice.
The state's abortion rights laws got an A-plus grade from
abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America, which gave neighboring state Oregon an A, California an A-plus, but rated Idaho an F.
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A study by the Guttmacher Institute ranked the Washington next to last — 49th — in abortion restrictions, with Oregon coming in last with no
restrictions on abortions, The Washington Post reported. Montana was ranked 41st while Idaho ranked 17th.
Oregon law does not require parental consent, a waiting period or an ultrasound procedure for those seeking abortions. It also doesn't restrict public funding for the procedure,
the Guttmacher Institute said. California is the same, requiring none of those restrictions.
By contrast, Montana law requires parental consent for minors age 16 or younger seeking abortions, Guttmacher noted.
Washington was ranked No. 50 by the
anti-abortion group Americans United for Life. The group said the state "does not adequately protect women from the negative consequences of abortion, nor does it protect unborn children from criminal violence." The group ranked Oregon No. 48 and California No. 47.
Washington has a Freedom of Choice Act, which says if the federal law keeping abortion legal, Roe v. Wade, is ever overturned, the state still plans to enforce such freedoms. Only licensed physicians may perform abortions in Washington state.
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