Democrats in Arizona’s House and Senate have introduced a set of bills to expand abortion access in the state. But the bills are likely dead-on-arrival in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton and Sen. Priya Sundareshan are sponsoring legislation to protect access to contraceptives and to roll back some requirements for the state health department to collect data about abortions. They also want to officially repeal a law dating to 1864 that bans all abortions, except in cases where the pregnant person's life is at risk.
In a press release, Gov. Katie Hobbs said she supported the proposals.
"I refuse to back down in the face of those who want to criminalize doctors, outlaw abortion and strip away access to contraception,” Hobbs said. “Instead of restricting our freedoms, we can pass common sense legislation to expand access to health care."
Abortion is currently allowed up to 15 weeks in Arizona, but the state Supreme Court is weighing whether the 1860s-era near-total ban should be enforced.
The final say on abortion laws in Arizona may not come from the court or the Legislature. Abortion rights advocates hope to gather enough signatures to put a measure to expand abortion access before Arizona voters in November.
