Reason 3.3.C – Roe v. Wade (Fourteenth Amendment and Other Laws)

Writing in dissent of the decision of Roe v. Wade, Rehnquist, J., makes the following point:

By the time of the adoption of the Fourteenth [p175] Amendment in 1868, there were at least 36 laws enacted by state or territorial legislatures limiting abortion.[1] While many States have amended or updated [p176] their laws, 21 of the laws on the books in 1868 remain in effect today.[2]

“If the 14th Amendment was in any way meant to protect abortion, then they likely would have included that specifically in the Amendment.”[3]

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[1] Jurisdictions having enacted abortion laws prior to the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868:

1. Alabama–Ala. Acts, c. 6, § 2 (1840).

2. Arizona–Howell Code, c. 10, § 45 (1865).

3. Arkansas–Ark. Rev. Stat., c. 44, div. III, Art. II, § 6 (1838).

4. California–Cal. Sess. Laws, c. 99, § 45, p. 233 (1849-1850).

5. Colorado (Terr.)–Colo. Gen. Laws of Terr. of Colo., 1st Sess., § 42, pp. 296-297 (1861).

6. Connecticut–Conn. Stat., Tit. 20, §§ 14, 16 (1821). By 1868, this statute had been replaced by another abortion law. Conn. Pub. Acts, c. 71, §§ 1, 2, p. 65 (1860).

7. Florida–Fla. Acts 1st Sess., c. 1637, subc. 3, §§ 10, 11, subc. 8, §§ 9, 10, 11 (1868), as amended, now Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 782.09, 782.10, 797.01, 797.02, 782.16 (1965).

8. Georgia–Ga. Pen. Code, 4th Div., § 20 (1833).

9. Kingdom of Hawaii–Hawaii Pen. Code, c. 12, §§ 1, 2, 3 (1850).

10. Idaho (Terr.)–Idaho (Terr.) Laws, Crimes and Punishments §§ 33, 34, 42, pp. 441, 443 (1863).

11. Illinois–Ill. Rev. Criminal Code §§ 40, 41, 46, pp. 130, 131 (1827). By 1868, this statute had been replaced by a subsequent enactment. Ill. Pub. Laws §§ 1, 2, 3, p. 89 (1867).

12. Indiana–Ind. Rev. Stat. §§ 1, 3, p. 224 (1838). By 1868 this statute had been superseded by a subsequent enactment. Ind. Laws, c. LXXXI, § 2 (1859).

13. Iowa (Terr.)–Iowa (Terr.) Stat., 1st Legis., 1st Sess., § 18, p. 145 (1838). By 1868, this statute had been superseded by a subsequent enactment. Iowa (Terr.) Rev. Stat., c. 49, §§ 10, 13 (1843).

14. Kansas (Terr.)–Kan. (Terr.) Stat., c. 48, §§ 9, 10, 39 (1855). By 1868, this statute had been superseded by a subsequent enactment. Kan. (Terr.) Laws, c. 28, §§ 9, 10, 37 (1859).

15. Louisiana–La. Rev. Stat., Crimes and Offenses § 24, p. 138 (1856).

16. Maine–Me. Rev. Stat., c. 160, §§ 11, 12, 13, 14 (1840).

17. Maryland–Md. Laws, c. 179, § 2, p. 315 (1868).

18. Massachusetts–Mass. Acts & Resolves, c. 27 (1845).

19. Michigan–Mich. Rev. Stat., c. 153, §§ 32, 33, 34, p. 662 (1846).

20. Minnesota (Terr.)–Minn. (Terr.) Rev. Stat., c. 100, §§ 10, 11, p. 493 (1851).

21. Mississippi–Miss. Code, c. 64, §§ 8, 9, p. 958 (1848).

22. Missouri–Mo. Rev. Stat., Art. II, §§ 9, 10, 36, pp. 168, 172 (1835).

23. Montana (Terr.)–Mont. (Terr.) Laws, Criminal Practice Acts § 41, p. 184 (1864).

24. Nevada (Terr.)–Nev. (Terr.) Laws, c. 28, § 42, p. 63 (1861).

25. New Hampshire–N. H. Laws, c. 743, § 1, p. 708 (1848).

26. New Jersey–N. J. Laws, p. 266 (1849).

27. New York–N. Y. Rev. Stat., pt. 4, c. 1, Tit. 2, §§ 8, 9, pp. 12-13 (1828). By 1868, this statute had been superseded. N. Y. Laws, c. 260, §§ 1-6, pp. 285-286 (1845); N. Y. Laws, c. 22, § 1, p. 19 (1846).

28. Ohio–Ohio Gen. Stat. §§ 111(1), 112(2), p. 252 (1841).

29. Oregon–Ore. Gen. Laws, Crim. Code, c. 43, § 509, p. 528 (1845-1864).

30. Pennsylvania–Pa. Laws No. 374, §§ 87, 88, 89 (1860).

31. Texas–Tex. Gen. Stat. Dig., c. VII, Arts. 531-536, p. 524 (Oldham & White 1859).

32. Vermont–Vt. Acts No. 33, § 1 (1846). By 1868, this statute had been amended. Vt. Acts No. 57, §§ 1, 3 (1867).

33. Virginia–Va. Acts, Tit. II, c. 3, § 9, p. 96 (1848).

34. Washington (Terr.)–Wash. (Terr.) Stats., c. II, §§ 37, 38, p. 81 (1854).

35. West Virginia–See Va. Acts., Tit. II, c. 3, § 9, p. 96 (1848); W. Va. Const., Art. XI, par. 8 (1863).

36. Wisconsin–Wis. Rev. Stat., c. 133, §§ 10, 11 (1849). By 1868, this statute had been superseded. Wis. Rev. Stat., c. 164, §§ 10, 11; c. 169, §§ 58, 59 (1858).

[2] Abortion laws in effect in 1868 and still applicable as of August 1970:

1. Arizona (1865).

2. Connecticut (1860).

3. Florida (1868).

4. Idaho (1863).

5. Indiana (1838).

6. Iowa (1843).

7. Maine (1840).

8. Massachusetts (1845).

9. Michigan (1846).

10. Minnesota (1851).

11. Missoun (1835).

12. Montana (1864).

13. Nevada (1861).

14. New Hampshire (1848).

15. New Jersey (1849).

16. Ohio (1841).

17. Pennsylvania (1860).

18. Texas (1859).

19. Vermont (1867).

20. West Virginia (1863).

21. Wisconsin (1858).

[3] Pro-Life Cheat Sheet, PROLIFE_MILLENNIEL