Arizona Passes 15-Week Abortion Ban

The 15-week abortion ban now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature

PHOENIX, AZ — Today, Arizona became the second state this year to pass a 15-week abortion ban modeled after the Mississippi law currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Arizona House passed S.B. 1164 by a 31 to 26 vote to join Florida in sending a 15-week abortion ban to the governor’s desk. The bill would unconstitutionally restrict abortion access a full two months before the viability line established by Planned Parenthood v. Casey and would criminalize abortion providers, threatening fines, probation, and even imprisonment for non-compliance. 

Evidence shows that long-term wellbeing of patients and their families suffers when state laws deny access to abortion care, and abortion bans especially harm Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, people with low incomes, and those in rural areas who already face significant challenges in accessing health care in Arizona.

“These unrelenting attacks on abortion care and access in Arizona continue after more than a decade of legislative interference that is harmful to pregnant people and their families. Make no mistake — the legislators who voted in favor of this law in the House and Senate will not stop at a 15-week ban. They will continue to chip away at abortion care until abortion is illegal in Arizona. In November, we will remember the legislators who voted in favor of risking the health and safety of thousands of Arizonans and we will hold them accountable at the polls,” said Brittany Fonteno, president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona. “Planned Parenthood Arizona will continue to provide high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, inclusive and accurate sex education, and bold advocacy to create a culture that champions bodily autonomy, including abortion rights.” 

“Let’s be crystal clear: The 15-week ban passed today will harm Arizonans and their families,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “There is no such thing as a ‘reasonable’ abortion ban because there is no ‘reasonable’ compromise on people’s fundamental rights. This cruel legislation will deny timely health care for people who need it, and will disproportionately harm already marginalized communities who face systemic barriers to accessing health care in the state. Planned Parenthood stands with patients and providers in Arizona, and will continue working to ensure that everyone has the information and resources to make their own decisions for their bodies, futures, and families.” 

In addition to the 15-week ban, this session lawmakers have introduced seven other bills attacking abortion access in Arizona, including a bills to classify abortion as a class 3 felony ban medication abortion, and defunding for abortion providers.

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.