Karyn Gattermann: New Hampshire abortion law is similar to what was allowed under Roe

To The Daily Sun,

Some of the political ads currently airing in the media are misleading about the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court did not take away a woman’s right to choose per se, they said it is up to the states and state law to govern this.

In the state of New Hampshire, the current law as of May 7, 2022, is almost consistent with what was in place at the federal level with Roe v. Wade. Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks (same as was true with Roe v. Wade), and banned after that with exceptions for a fatal fetal diagnosis and the life of the pregnant person (same as Roe v. Wade). There is a parental notification requirement for persons under 18 years, which is different from Roe v. Wade. However, the person under 18 years can ask a judge to waive the parental notification. The mandate for an ultrasound previously in place under NH law has been removed. I think it is important for women in NH to understand their above rights. The ads may mislead women in NH to think their right to choose has been taken away, but a least currently, that is not the case.

Karyn Gattermann

New Hampton