The Arizona Supreme Court is set to make a crucial decision regarding the state's abortion laws. The court will determine whether the current ban on nearly all abortions after 15 weeks will remain in effect or if it will revert to a much older law dating back to the Civil War era.
The older law, established 123 years ago, prohibited abortions in all cases except when necessary to save the pregnant person's life. Violating this law could result in a prison sentence of two to five years for abortion providers.
After hearing arguments in the case of Planned Parenthood of Arizona vs. Mayes/Hazelrigg last December, the court is expected to issue its opinion on Tuesday at approximately 10 a.m. PT.
Abortion rights opponents have advocated for reverting to the 1901 ban, while advocates have urged the court to uphold the 2022 law allowing abortions up to 15 weeks.
Former Governor Doug Ducey signed the 2022 law earlier this year, clarifying that it would not supersede the older law. However, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that both abortion laws in the state must be reconciled, affirming that abortions up to 15 weeks are legal when performed by licensed physicians in compliance with state regulations.
Given the legal uncertainties and disputes surrounding the abortion laws, the state Supreme Court was called upon to provide clarity on which law should prevail in Arizona.
Meanwhile, a coalition of abortion rights organizations known as Arizona for Abortion Access has gathered enough signatures to introduce a ballot measure in November 2024. The measure aims to secure abortion rights in the state's constitution, potentially shaping the future of reproductive rights in Arizona.
