Abortion laws in Mississippi
Abortion is banned in Mississippi.
Data last updated .
How far into pregnancy
- Abortion is banned at every stage of pregnancy.
- Exceptions: to save your life; if the pregnancy is from rape or incest.
- Abortion is banned when the reason is the fetus's sex, the fetus's race, or a diagnosis of a disability, such as Down syndrome.
- A procedure called intact dilation and extraction (D&X) is banned.
- A procedure called dilation and evacuation (D&E) is banned.
Waiting periods and clinic visits
- These rules apply to abortions allowed under the exceptions.
- You must be given state-required information (counseling) before your abortion.
- You must have an ultrasound before your abortion.
- There is a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion.
- You'll need to make two separate trips to the clinic: one for required counseling, then another for the abortion.
Abortion pills by telehealth
- State law does not allow abortion pills to be prescribed through telehealth.
If you're under 18
- If you're under 18, both parents must give permission.
- If you can't involve a parent, you can ask a judge for permission instead. This is called a judicial bypass, and free legal help is available.
Insurance coverage
- Medicaid (public health insurance) pays for abortion in the limited cases federal law requires, and also when the fetus has a serious health condition.
- Plans bought on the ACA marketplace can cover abortion only when your life is in danger or the pregnancy is from rape or incest.
Penalties and legal risk
- Breaking the abortion ban is a felony, a serious crime that can mean prison time.
- For advice about your own situation, the Repro Legal Helpline offers free, confidential legal help.
Legal protections
- The state has no specific legal protections for abortion.
Get help
- Find a provider near you: AbortionFinder
- Find verified clinics: I Need an A
- Free, confidential legal help: Repro Legal Helpline · 844-868-2812
- Help paying for care: National Abortion Federation Hotline · 1-800-772-9100
- Medical questions about abortion or miscarriage: M+A Hotline · 1-833-246-2632
This is a summary of state law, not legal advice. Laws change, and an update to this data can also be a correction.