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Home > Resources > Abortion Access Guide > What to Know About Your Legal Rights as a Patient

What to Know About Your Legal Rights as a Patient

Abortion is legal and protected in Washington. Anyone, of any age, can access an abortion for any reason before viability of the fetus (when it can live outside your body). You don’t have to live in-state or be a US citizen, and you don’t need permission from anyone to access an abortion.

Out of State

You can come from anywhere outside of Washington to receive abortion services.

If you travel to Washington for abortion care and encounter law enforcement of any kind, you do not have to tell them about your abortion.

If you reside in a state where abortion is banned, Washington’s Shield Law prohibits Washington law enforcement and courts from helping other states prosecute providers and patients for abortion care that is legal in Washington. Please check out Washington’s Attorney General’s Shield Law explainer here for more details.

For more legal support, visit Repro Legal Hotline or call 844-868-2812.

Data Privacy

The My Health My Data Act prohibits the selling of personal health information without your consent on apps, websites, and the dark web.

Learn how to protect your digital privacy from the Digital Defense Fund

Protestors

Washington law (RCW 9A.50.020) prevents anyone from stopping or blocking you from receiving medical care, including abortion. If protestors try to stop or threaten you, tell the clinic and document what happened.

Contact Legal Voice at [email protected] for help.


Patient Stories

Read our real-life inspired patient stories and get access to information and links that you can use to get help if you find yourself in a similar situation.

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Northwest Reproductive Equity is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and expanding every person's right to affordable, quality, and unbiased abortion access and reproductive health care in the northwest.

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