Arizona Republican lawmakers are advancing a bill that could be a direct challenge to the newly adopted state constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to abortion.
The bill passed by a House committee on a party line vote would require an in-person doctor exam and a checklist for the physician before prescribing an abortion-inducing drug .
Jodi Liggett is a lobbyist for Reproductive Freedom for All and urged lawmakers to vote against the bill.
"Arizona voters decisively approved Proposition 139 enshrining the constitutional right to abortion and establishing that abortion care prior to fetal viability is a fundamental right," Liggett said.
Arizona law already says only doctors can prescribe such drugs.
More news on abortion
-
Prescribing abortion medications via telehealth was previously banned by a state law. But a court ruling in February voided that, and several other abortion regulations in Arizona. -
The case involves state laws that ban certain advanced practice clinicians like specially trained nurse practitioners from providing abortion services — something they’ve historically done. -
The Trump administration has launched an online resource hub for new and expectant mothers. The majority of pregnancy centers that the website recommends in Arizona do not offer abortion services. -
Arizona voters approved adding constitutional protections for abortion rights in 2024. But that hasn’t stopped state lawmakers from taking up the issue in various forms since that time. -
State lawmakers are moving to make criminals out of doctors and pharmacists who send abortion-inducing drugs to Arizona women — as well as those who seek them — but questions remain over whether the bill is constitutional.
