1. How accessible is abortion in Kentucky?

Abortion access in Kentucky is limited. As of 2019, abortion is legal in Kentucky but a variety of restrictions have been placed on it. There is only one remaining abortion clinic in the state, located in Louisville. Additionally, the state requires a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent for minors seeking an abortion. There are also several restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion services.

2. What is the legal gestational limit for abortion in Kentucky?

The legal gestational limit for abortion in Kentucky is 20 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period.

3. Does Kentucky require parental involvement for minors seeking an abortion?

Yes, Kentucky requires parental involvement for minors seeking an abortion. Minors must receive written, notarized consent from a parent or legal guardian before they can receive an abortion.

4. Does Kentucky mandate waiting periods before an abortion?

Yes, Kentucky does mandate a waiting period before an abortion. Patients must receive counseling at least 24 hours prior to the procedure.

5. Does Kentucky require the disclosure of any information prior to an abortion?

Yes, Kentucky requires that women seeking an abortion receive counseling that includes information about the medical risks associated with the procedure, the probable gestational age of the fetus, and alternatives to abortion. Additionally, a physician must provide women with information about perinatal hospice services, which are services designed to provide compassionate care to families who choose not to terminate a pregnancy. The woman must also submit a written statement affirming that she has received and understood the information.

6. Does Kentucky provide public funding for abortion services?

No, Kentucky does not provide public funding for abortion services. The state has several restrictions in place that limit access to abortion services, including parental consent requirements and 24-hour waiting periods. Additionally, Kentucky enacted a law in 2019 to prohibit the use of public funds to pay for abortions.

7. Are there any exceptions to the gestational limit in Kentucky?

Yes, in Kentucky, exceptions to the gestational limit are allowed if the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother or to prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.

8. Can a physician or medical facility refuse to provide abortion services in Kentucky?

Yes, a physician or medical facility can refuse to provide abortion services in Kentucky. Abortion rights are protected under the Kentucky Constitution and state laws, but health care providers may exercise their right to refuse to provide abortion services for religious or moral reasons.

9. Are there any laws related to medication or surgical abortions in Kentucky?

Yes, there are laws related to medication and surgical abortions in Kentucky. According to the Guttmacher Institute, Kentucky requires a 24-hour waiting period and state-directed counseling with information designed to discourage abortion before any abortion can be provided. Minors must obtain parental consent before an abortion is performed. Additionally, all abortions must take place in a hospital after the 20th week of pregnancy.

10. Is informed consent required by providers before performing an abortion in Kentucky?

Yes, informed consent is required in Kentucky before performing an abortion. The Kentucky Department for Public Health has established regulations that require abortion providers to obtain informed consent from their patients before an abortion is performed. This includes providing the patient with comprehensive and medically accurate information, both verbally and in writing, about the proposed procedure, its risks and alternatives, the probable gestational age of the fetus, and the medical risks associated with continuing the pregnancy. Patients must sign a form after they have been informed of all this information. The patient also must wait 24 hours after giving consent before the procedure can be performed.

11. Does Kentucky allow for the provision of telemedicine abortion services?

No, Kentucky does not allow for the provision of telemedicine abortion services.

12. Are specific medical facilities required to provide abortions in Kentucky?

No, medical facilities in Kentucky are not required to provide abortions. However, abortion services are available at select clinics throughout the state.

13. Does Kentucky have any regulations regarding the provision of post-abortion care?

Yes, Kentucky does have regulations regarding the provision of post-abortion care. According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, all abortion providers must provide post-abortion care, which includes a full physical exam and follow-up visits. The provider must also provide information on contraception and other reproductive health services. Additionally, they must maintain records of post-abortion care, including the type of procedure performed and any complications that occurred.

14. Does Kentucky have any restrictions on abortion protestors near clinics or medical facilities providing abortions?

Yes. In Kentucky, the state has a law that prohibits “harassment or intimidation of persons entering” medical facilities that provide abortions. This law makes it illegal for anyone to block or hinder access to the facility. It also prohibits protestors from following someone entering or leaving the facility, or to interfere with their vehicles. Additionally, the law requires that all protests take place at least fifty feet away from any entrance, exit, or driveway of any medical facility that provides abortions.

15. Can health insurance plans cover abortion services in Kentucky?

No. As of July 2016, all health insurance plans in Kentucky are prohibited from covering abortion services.

16. Are there any requirements for the disposal of fetal tissue after an abortion in Kentucky?

Yes. According to Kentucky Revised Statutes, health care providers shall dispose of fetal tissue resulting from abortions in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. The body of the fetus and any remains must be buried or cremated.

17. How are fetal remains handled after an abortion in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, fetal remains must be disposed of in a dignified manner, usually by cremation. The health care provider must offer the woman the option to bury or cremate the remains, and any associated costs are typically the responsibility of the woman. The health care provider must also include information on burial and cremation services in their informed consent process. Women may also choose to donate the fetal remains for medical research or anatomical study.

18. Does Kentucky recognize gestational and fetal age based on ultrasound measurements?

Yes, Kentucky recognizes gestational and fetal age based on ultrasound measurements.

19. Are there any laws related to informed consent for minors seeking an abortion in Kentucky?

Yes, there are laws related to informed consent for minors seeking an abortion in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Revised Statutes, a minor who wants to obtain an abortion must be given information about the procedure, its risks and benefits, and alternatives to abortion. The minor must also provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian before the abortion can be performed.

20. Is there a judicial bypass process to allow minors to obtain an abortion without parental consent in Kentucky?

Yes. Kentucky law allows minors to obtain a court order that enables them to bypass the parental notification requirement. To do so, a minor must prove to the court that she is mature and well-informed enough to make the decision without parental consent. The minor must also convince the court that it is in her best interest to obtain an abortion without her parents’ involvement.