In Arizona
After Roe, abortion is illegal after the 15th week of pregnancy. Hear from Center for Arizona Policy about what’s at stake, and how you can be part of the fight for life. Then, keep reading to find out more about what abortion law would be in your state after Roe.
After Roe, states will have an even greater responsibility to protect life. Partner with your state’s family policy council to ensure that your state is pro-life, from conception all the way to natural death!
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THE BIG QUESTION
After Roe, does my state ban nearly all abortions or allow nearly all abortions?
Arizona passed a 15-week ban in 2022 that is currently in effect and bans nearly all abortions. S.B. 1164 2022 Ariz. 55th Reg. Sess (Ariz. 2022). Arizona also has a near-total abortion ban that is currently enjoined but has not been repealed. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3603.
WHAT’S NEXT
What is my state’s next step in the fight for life, now that Roe is overturned?
Arizona has three critical next steps after Roe:
- Protecting Arizona’s pre-Roe law that prohibits abortion except to save the life of the mother
- Implementing a pro-life campaign to promote the pro-life message and cause, and
- Preparing for anticipated initiatives and challenges from Planned Parenthood and their allies
MORE ABOUT YOUR STATE’S ABORTION LAWS
Below, we’ve summarized what abortion laws are in your state after Roe.
Abortion Limits, Exceptions and Enforcement
Limitations on abortions
If my state won’t ban all abortions, what are the limits to abortion?
Arizona currently prohibits abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. 2022 Ariz. ALS 105, 2022 Ariz. Sess. Laws 105, 2022 Ariz. Ch. 105, 2022 Ariz. SB 1164. Arizona has a law banning almost all abortions that is currently enjoined but may become effective in the future. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3603.
Exceptions to any limitations
Are there any exceptions to those limitations placed on abortion?
Both the near-total ban and the 15-week ban have an exception for when the abortion is necessary to save the mother’s life. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3603, 2022 Ariz. ALS 105, 2022 Ariz. Sess. Laws 105, 2022 Ariz. Ch. 105, 2022 Ariz. SB 1164.
Penalties for performing an illegal abortion
What are the penalties to abortion providers for committing an illegal abortion (one of the forms of abortion that my state has limited under the law)?
Violations of the 15-week ban are a class 6 felony and an act of unprofessional conduct for medical professionals, resulting in a suspension of their license. 2022 Ariz. ALS 105, 2022 Ariz. Sess. Laws 105, 2022 Ariz. Ch. 105, 2022 Ariz. SB 1164.
Violations of the abortion ban incur imprisonment for 2-5 years. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3603.
Enforcement
When abortion laws are violated, who can file a lawsuit to enforce their rights and the law?
The parents or maternal grandparents of the unborn child may file suit against violators of the born-alive law. Ariz. Rev. State. Ann. § 36-2301.
The Attorney General is empowered to enforce the 15-week ban. S.B. 1164 2022 Ariz. 55th Reg. Sess. (Ariz. 2022).
Special standards of care
Does my state impose a special medical standard of care on abortion providers?
No.
Protecting Fundamental Rights
Parents
Does my state give parents the right to consent for their child to get an abortion?
Yes: notarized consent from one parent is required for the rare cases in which pre-15 week abortions are permitted; however, this state has a method where a minor can obtain permission from the courts to receive an abortion without parental notice or consent. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 36-2152.
Medical professionals
Does my state have conscience protections for medical professionals who do not want to participate in abortions?
Hospitals, pharmacies, medical facilities, or health-care professionals, or employees of hospitals, pharmacies, medical facilities, or health-care professionals, who object in writing, may refuse to participate in or facilitate abortions. Hospitals may refuse to admit women for the purpose of an abortion. Ariz. Rev. State. Ann. § 36-2154.
Babies Born Alive
Are there legal protections for babies born alive following a botched abortion in my state?
Yes, when abortions are permitted, physicians are required to promote, preserve, and maintain the life of a baby born alive, among other requirements However, this provision would most likely become unnecessary when the trigger law is no longer enjoined. Ariz. Rev. State. Ann. § 36-2301.
Safety & Health of Women
Physician-only requirement
Does an abortion have to be provided by a licensed physician in my state?
Yes: one must be a licensed physician to perform an abortion in Arizona. Non-doctors are expressly prohibited from performing abortions. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-2153(E).
Informed consent
Does my state’s law require that a woman give informed consent and/or receive counseling prior to allowing an abortion to be performed?
Yes, counseling is required; however, this provision would most likely become unnecessary when the trigger law is no longer enjoined. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-2153(A).
Waiting period
Does my state place any waiting requirement on abortion so that a mother has more time to decide?
Yes, a 24-hour waiting period is required after counseling; however, this provision would most likely become unnecessary when the trigger is no longer enjoined. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-2153(A).