Planned Parenthood will stop performing abortions indefinitely in Arizona after a judge ruled that the state’s near-total abortion ban law could technically be enforced, according to Axios.
Pima County Judge Kellie Johnson ruled that the near-total abortion ban law, which was created in 1864 while Arizona was a territory, is the post-Roe state law on Friday.
A spokesman for Planned Parenthood AZ tells me they’re pausing abortion services, and won’t be providing abortions within the 15-week window after the new law theoretically goes into effect tomorrow.
— Jeremy Duda (@jeremyduda) September 24, 2022
The only exception in the law is the life of the mother. Following the Supreme Court decision, there was confusion in the state about what rules would be in place, as there was a 15-week abortion ban signed into law in March.
“A Pima County judge lifted an injunction that was placed on AZ’s abortion statute,” Attorney General Mark Brnovich tweeted Friday.
“We applaud the court for upholding the will of the legislature and providing clarity and uniformity on this important issue. I have and will continue to protect the most vulnerable Arizonans.”
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A Pima County judge lifted an injunction that was placed on AZ’s abortion statute. We applaud the court for upholding the will of the legislature and providing clarity and uniformity on this important issue. I have and will continue to protect the most vulnerable Arizonans.
— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) September 23, 2022
The governor’s office said that while the pre-statehood law is technically the overarching rule, the state will be enforcing the 15-week ban starting Saturday.
“Governor Ducey was proud to sign SB 1164, which goes into effect tomorrow,” Gov. Doug Ducey’s spokesman, CJ Karamargin, said in a statement. “Arizona remains one of the most pro-life states in the country.
The more recent law, which was passed by the state legislature, also only allows exceptions for life-endangering situations after the time frame.
For now, it seems like there will need to be further clarification on the legal side in regards to what law on the books will take precedence.
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