Seal of Maine

Maine State Legislature Legislative History Collection

Last updated: September 2023

Abortion Legislation in Maine

This legislative history includes former Maine statutes, proposed and enacted legislation, and other legislative instruments related to abortion from 1820 to present.

Current statutes governing abortions can be found in 22 MRS Chapter 263-B.

Legislative History Table
Year Statute / LD Amendments Final Disposition Legislative Record Remarks & Debate Other Documents & News Clips Full LD History
1821 Laws of Maine 1821, Chapter 2, Sections 9-11
An Act Providing for the Punishment of the Crimes of Murder, Manslaughter, Felonious Maims and Assaults, and Duelling. 		N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1840 Revised Statutes 1840, Chapter 160, Sections 11-14
Of Offenses Against Chastity, Morality and Decency 		N/A N/A N/A Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Revise the Public Laws of the State of Maine 1840 N/A
1857 Revised Statutes 1857, Chapter 124, Sections 7, 8
Concealment of Births and Procuring Abortions 		N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1871 Revised Statutes 1871, Chapter 124, §§7, 8
Concealment of Births and Procuring Abortions 		N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1883 Revised Statutes 1883, Chapter 124, Sections 7, 8
Concealment of Births and Procuring Abortions 		N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1969 Legislative Document 783
An Act Relating to Termination of Human Pregnancy by Therapeutic Abortion 		Proposed amendment: H-325

House: Indefinitely postponed

Senate: Ought Not to Pass

House, May 15, 1969, pages 2114-2130

Senate, May 22, 1969, pages 2443-2445

News Clips: Please contact a Reference Librarian.

 N/A
1993 Legislative Document 819
An Act to Ensure a Woman's Right to Know
 Proposed amendments: H-97, H-117, H-118

Died between houses

House, April 6, 1993, pages H-403

House, April 6, 1993, pages H-424-H-425

Senate, April 8, 1993, pages S-370-S-371

Court Opinion: Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992)

Committee File: Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips: Please contact a Reference Librarian

Yes