KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2025 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Lawsuit filed to block new Arizona abortion law

There’s a new legal challenge against an Arizona abortion law that’s set to take effect Aug. 2. KJZZ’s Lynn Kelly reports.

The lawsuit was filed today by abortion-rights groups -- filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Arizona and the Center for Reproductive Rights -- on behalf of three physicians. It targets provisions that generally ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Arizona now allows abortions until the fetus becomes viable -- that generally happens at about 22 to 24 weeks.

The suit claims the law's exception for health risks is too narrow and that the law interferes with health care at a time when most pregnant women undergo prenatal testing.

Attorney General Tom Horne said his office will vigorously defend the law. Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill in April after the Legislature approved it.