Reproductive rights activists filed a complaint on Thursday to reject a number of Arizona-based laws that are related to pregnancy, alleging that they are in contravention of the state’s recently amended law, which allows for abortion access up to the point of fetal viability. The Arizona Medical Association and two Arizona-based abortion services brought the petition. It comes after a 2024 ballot measure was passed that allowed voters to approve a constitutional amendment granting abortion rights up until the fetal viability, normally between 24 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. The lawsuit targets a number of current state regulations, including those that:
- Ban pregnancies based on genetic defects.
- At least 24 days before the procedure, with the opportunity to see an ultrasonic, to obtain in-person informed consent from the people.
- Interfere with the mail of abortion medication and the use of healthcare providers for abortion care.
According to Rebecca Chan, staff attorney for the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project,” These stigmatizing and medically unnecessary abortion restrictions violate the right to reproductive freedom established by Arizona voters last November,” according to the Associated Press ( AP ). A representative for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the problem is being reviewed and that existing laws should be in line with the constitutional amendment that the electorate approved. In the 2024 general election, Arizona was one of the claims that passed legislation to protect abortion right in their constitutions. Following a ruling earlier this year by an Arizona determine to halt the state’s 15-week abortion restrictions, the lawsuit represents a growing legitimate push to overturn restrictions placed before the constitutional change was made. The relevance of the lawsuit have sparked concerns among liberal organizations. The Center for Arizona Policy, a nonprofit that promotes socially liberal policies, has not yet decided whether to meet the legal fight, according to Peter Gentala, chairman of the organization. According to the news agency AP, Center for Arizona Policy chairman Peter Gentala said,” Women’s health is important, and this petition reflects an objective to increase abortion in Arizona, and that comes at a cost to women’s heath.”
