Patients in Connecticut ages 16 and older have full discretion, in consultation with their physician, to terminate a pregnancy prior to viability. Physicians and advanced practice clinicians, including advanced practice registered nurses, nurse-midwives, and physician assistants, can provide abortion care within their scope of practice. After viability, abortion is only permitted to preserve the life or health of the patient. Connecticut passed a shield law in 2022 which provides certain legal protections from litigation and harassment for abortion providers and patients in Connecticut.

Informed Consent

Connecticut does not require any different informed consent than would typically be required for any medical procedure. There is no mandatory wait time between obtaining informed consent and performing the abortion.

Laws Impacting Youth Access

Connecticut defines a minor as someone under the age of 16. Prior to receiving an abortion in Connecticut, the youth must be counseled in terms they are capable of understanding.This counseling must inform the minor of all options with regards to carrying the pregnancy to term or seeking an abortion.The conversation must include inquiries into the possibility and desirability of involving the minor’s parent(s), guardian, or other adult family member.After an adequate opportunity to ask questions and have concerns addressed, the minor must give informed consent in writing. Parental consent is not required for abortion care for minors.

Abortion is legal in Maine until “viability.” After that point, abortion can be accessed whenever a doctor deems it to be medically necessary for the health of the patient.

Informed Consent

Maine does not require any different informed consent than would typically be required for any medical procedure. The patient will be told any specific risks of the procedure, the gestational age of the fetus, and the potential risk of continuing the pregnancy. There is no mandatory wait time between obtaining informed consent and performing the abortion.

Laws Impacting Youth Access

Anyone under the age of 18 seeking abortion in Maine has three routes to take in accessing abortion care.

(1) Obtaining the written, informed consent of one parent, guardian or adult family member.

(2) Through Maine’s recognition of the mature minor doctrine which allows mature youth to consent if they first go through additional counseling, discuss with the counselor the possibility of involving their parents, and have an adequate opportunity to ask questions.

(3) Obtaining a judicial bypass in which a judge issues an order allowing a young person to access abortion care.

Get more information on the judicial bypass system.

Up until 24 weeks after implantation, any physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife can perform an abortion after obtaining informed consent.

Past 24 weeks after implantation, abortions may still be performed: (1) to preserve the life of the patient; (2) to preserve the patient’s physical or mental health; (3) when it is warranted because of a lethal fetal anomaly or diagnosis; or (4) when it is warranted because of a grave fetal diagnosis that indicates that the fetus is incompatible with sustained life outside the uterus. Providers are given broad latitude to make these determinations in their best medical judgment.

Massachusetts passed a shield law in 2022 that protects abortion providers from professional discipline related to legal abortion care provided in Massachusetts and offers certain legal protections from litigation for providers, helpers, and patients.

Informed Consent

Massachusetts law requires written informed consent from a patient seeking abortion care. There is no mandatory wait time between giving informed consent and obtaining the abortion.

Laws Impacting Youth Access

Young people ages 16 and 17 may consent to their own abortions and related medical care. People younger than age 16 must obtain parental consent or permission from a judge through a judicial bypass procedure. A judicial bypass is a confidential procedure, which now takes place over the telephone, and allows the judge to authorize the performance of an abortion. While it is not necessary for a young person to have counsel for this procedure, court appointed counsel can be available if desired.

For help navigating the judicial bypass process, your provider will help connect you to free legal resources or counsel. The judicial bypass process usually takes only a few days, and, in Massachusetts, is almost always successful. In addition, minors receiving a judicial bypass may qualify for free abortion care at Boston Medical Center (BMC). For more information, contact BMC at (617) 414-2000.

In New Hampshire, abortion is legal until 24 weeks of pregnancy. After that point, abortion can still be accessed if a medical professional deems it necessary for the health of the patient.

Informed Consent

New Hampshire does not require any different informed consent than would typically be required for any medical procedure. There is no mandatory wait time between giving informed consent and obtaining the abortion.

Laws Impacting Youth Access

In New Hampshire, a young person under the age of 18 cannot obtain an abortion unless their parent or guardian is notified of the abortion at least two business days before the date of the procedure. Patients under 18 can go through the judicial bypass system and be granted permission by a judge to obtain an abortion without notification of their parent or guardian. To obtain a judicial bypass, patients under 18 should speak with their provider to seek representation for the process.

In Rhode Island, abortion care is legal until viability. Abortion is prohibited post-viability unless the life or health of the pregnant person is in danger.

Informed Consent

Rhode Island state law requires informed consent, as would be typical of any other medical procedure.

Laws Impacting Youth Access

In Rhode Island, a young person under the age of 18 cannot obtain an abortion without the consent of one parent or guardian. Patients under 18 can go through the judicial bypass system and be granted permission by a judge to obtain an abortion without notification of their parent or guardian.

Vermont recognizes the right of every individual to choose abortion and expressly prohibits restrictions, barriers, or interference with access to the right. Vermont passed a shield law in 2023 that protects abortion providers from professional discipline related to legal abortion care provided in Vermont and offers certain legal protections from litigation for providers and patients.

Informed Consent

Vermont does not require any different informed consent than would typically be required for any medical procedure. There is no mandatory wait time between obtaining informed consent and performing the abortion.

Laws Impacting Youth Access

There are no legal barriers to youth access in Vermont.