Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP)

Alabama imposes a variety of burdensome requirements on abortion providers that are not imposed on other health care providers, including:

Restrictions on Where Abortions May Be Performed

Alabama places medically unnecessary restrictions on where abortions may be performed.

Any health care facility that performs 30 or more abortion procedures per month during any two months of the calendar year, or that provides "advertising" that it performs abortions by some public means -- such as newspaper, telephone directory, magazine, or electronic media -- must obtain a license not required of other medical providers.  Ala. Admin. Code. r. 420-5-1-.01(2)(b), -.01(3), -.01(4).  This rule applies to the offices of individual doctors if they meet the minimum procedures or advertising requirements.  Tucker v. State Dept. of Public Health, 650 So. 2d 910 (Ala. Civ. App. 1994). Violations may result in criminal penalties for operating without a license.  Ala. Code § 22-21-33 (Enacted 1949; Last Amended 2001).

Each abortion or reproductive health center must have a medical director who is board eligible/certified in OB/GYN and have at least 12 months experience treating gynecological problems in a surgical environment.  Ala. Admin. Code. r. 420-5-1-.02(5)(c).

Every abortion provider must maintain ultrasound equipment and perform an ultrasound before an abortion.  Ala. Code § 26-23A-6 (Enacted 2002).

Restrictions on Who May Perform Abortions

Alabama prohibits certain qualified health care professionals from performing abortions.

Only a physician licensed by the state to practice medicine or osteopathy may perform an abortion.  Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-1-.01(2)(j), -.03(4)(a); Ala. Code § 26-23A-7 (Enacted 2002).