Ethics: Arizona’s Abortion Consent Act

In 2009, the Arizona Legislature passed the Arizona Abortion Consent Act and Governor Brewer signed it into law. It has four primary effects:

1. Non-physicians may not perform surgical abortions
2. Women seeking abortion must receive information about alternatives and health risks at least 24 hours prior to the procedure.
3. Health care workers who object to abortion on conscience must be protected
4. Minors seeking abortion must provide notarized parental consent to receive one.

Planned Parenthood immediately filed a lawsuit against it on the grounds that it is unconstitutional, and an injunction against it was put into place. Since then, the case has been argued, most recently last week in the AZ Court of Appeals. Tonight on the show, I’ll have Cathy Herrod of the Center for Arizona Policy on the air to talk about the bill and the legal developments as well as other issues CAP is working with recently. Your questions and comments are, as always, highly encouraged.

Resources:
Planned Parenthood v Horne resource page (ADF)
Arizona Abortion Consent Act resource page (CAP)
Arizona Abortion Consent Act (HB 2564)
Executive summary of AACA (CAP)
Doctors’ letter in support of AACA (ADF)
Planned Parenthood files lawsuit vs AACA (PP AZ)
PP’s response to CAP editorial (PP AZ)
Bills threaten abortion care (PP AZ)
PP playing games again, CAP responds (CAP)