A new lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union contends that the state can’t stop “advanced practice clinicians” — like nurse practitioners — from performing abortions in Arizona.
In 2024, Arizona voters enshrined broad abortion rights in the state constitution.
The case is one of a series of lawsuits challenging specific abortion restrictions in state law before the amendment went into effect.
The ACLU argues a law that says only certain doctors can perform abortions is illegal because the amendment protects residents’ “fundamental right to abortion” before fetal viability.
The Arizona Board of Nursing determined in 2008 that nurses can perform abortions.
Lawmakers responded by removing the board’s authority to decide who is qualified for the procedure.
But the ACLU argues there’s no legitimate medical reason for that.
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It’s been two years since Arizona voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 139 into law, enshrining abortion rights until about 24 weeks gestation in the state Constitution. -
Medical residency applications have dropped significantly in abortion-restricted states following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. -
An Arizona judge has struck down a series of state laws restricting abortion, concluding they all run afoul of a constitutional amendment approved in 2024 by voters. -
One measure would make the death of a fetus during a felony first-degree murder. The others would include fetuses in child support laws and impose reporting requirements for witnesses of illegal abortion procedures. -
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says abortion access will again be a focus of her campaign as she vies for reelection in the fall.
