State Legal Snapshot
Abortion law, status, and enforcement — one-page reference
Washington's Reproductive Privacy Act guarantees a fundamental right to abortion pre-viability and post-viability to protect life or health, with no other gestational limits, waiting periods, or mandatory counseling.
RCW 9.02.110 · RCW 9.02.100 · 2022 c 65 (Engrossed House Bill 1851)
Washington's legal treatment of fetal personhood is internally inconsistent in some respects but carefully managed to avoid direct conflict. The manslaughter statute (RCW 9A.32.060(1)(b)) treats the intentional killing of an 'unborn quick child' by a third party as a class A felony — the same severity as killing a born person — yet the same code, at RCW 9.02.100, declares that every pregnant individual has a fundamental right to terminate a pregnancy before viability for any reason, and after viability to protect life or health.
RCW 9A.32.060(1)(b)
Washington imposes no parental consent or notification requirement for minors seeking abortion; the state's mature minor doctrine and general minor consent laws apply.
Washington has no statute requiring spousal or paternal consent or notice for abortion.
| Actor | Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Physician, PA, ARNP, or other provider performing unauthorized abortion | Unauthorized abortion (RCW 9.02.120) | Class C felony: up to 5 years imprisonment and/or up to $10,000 fine; possible license revocation under Uniform Disciplinary Act |
| Pregnant individual | None — expressly exempted from prosecution | No penalty; RCW 9.02.100(4) declares no individual shall fear prosecution for self-managing abortion; RCW 9.02.120 applies only to person who 'performs an abortion on another person' |
| Clinic staff assisting lawful abortion | None | RCW 9.02.110 expressly authorizes health care providers to assist; no penalty for assisting a lawful abortion |
| Third party who kills unborn quick child | First-degree manslaughter (RCW 9A.32.060(1)(b)) | Class A felony: maximum life imprisonment and/or up to $50,000 fine |
| Persons interfering with clinic access | Interference with health care facility (RCW 9A.50.020) | Gross misdemeanor: up to 364 days imprisonment and/or up to $5,000 fine; civil liability for damages and injunctive relief under RCW 9A.50.040-.050 |
2026 supplemental budget — Abortion Access Project funding restoration
Legislation · Proposed; Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates and Pro-Choice Washington are urging the legislature to restore $8.5 million in the 2026 supplemental budget
If restored, the funding would reverse the 55% cut to safety-net abortion provider grants, supporting clinics to maintain hours, staffing, and services for in-state and out-of-state patients.
2026 legislation to facilitate distribution of state mifepristone stockpile
Legislation · Enacted in 2026 session (2026 c 14?); law now allows easier distribution of the state's stockpile to providers
The state's 30,000-dose mifepristone stockpile (purchased 2023, expiring) can now be distributed to licensed health care providers, potentially expanding medication abortion access.
Cedar Park Assembly of God v. Kreidler (church challenge to abortion insurance coverage mandate)
Litigation · Ongoing federal litigation; a Washington church challenges the state's requirement that health plans covering maternity care must also cover abortion, arguing violation of religious freedom
If successful, the challenge could limit or exempt certain religious employers from the abortion-coverage mandate under RCW 48.43.073, but would not affect the requirement for individuals to access coverage directly through insurers.
Declares the fundamental right to reproductive privacy and exempts pregnant individuals from prosecution.
Operative provision guaranteeing the right to abortion before viability and after viability to protect life or health, and authorizing a broad range of providers.
Establishes the class C felony for performing an unauthorized abortion, defining the outer boundary of lawful conduct.
Defines key terms including abortion, viability, pregnancy (implantation-based), and health care provider; determines the scope of regulated conduct.
Protects providers, patients, and helpers from out-of-state investigations and legal actions related to reproductive health care lawful in Washington.
Generated from the structured legal focused deep-research record for WA (research completed 2026-07-12). This snapshot condenses a much larger sourced dataset — full citations, quoted statutory text, and plain-language explanations are in the full Washington survey. This document has not been reviewed by a lawyer and should not be used as legal advice.