The Arizona Supreme Court has delayed enforcement of the state’s recently revived 1864 abortion ban, allowing for a 90-day stay requested by the state’s attorney general. Although Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a repeal of the ban, it will not go into effect until 90 days after the legislative session ends. This means that the Civil War-era abortion ban could potentially be enforced for a brief period while the legislature is in session. The stay will be in effect through August 12 to allow the attorney general to consider petitioning the US Supreme Court, with the possibility of another stay being filed.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes expressed gratitude for the court’s decision to delay enforcement of the 1864 abortion ban. She stated that the earliest the ban could be enforced is September 26, due to an additional 45 days stipulated in a separate case. Mayes is committed to ensuring that doctors can provide medical care for their patients based on their best judgment, rather than outdated beliefs from 160 years ago. The court also denied a motion from Planned Parenthood Arizona asking for a stay of the 1864 abortion ban until the repeal law goes into effect.
The repeal of the Civil War-era abortion ban earlier this month was a significant victory for abortion rights advocates in Arizona. The 1864 law had banned abortion at all stages of pregnancy except to save the mother’s life and threatened providers with prison sentences of two to five years. Advocates have been working for years to overturn this outdated law and ensure that women have access to safe and legal abortion care. The delay in enforcement of the ban provides crucial time for legal action to be taken and for the repeal law to take effect.
The 1864 abortion ban in Arizona has been a contentious issue, with supporters and opponents on both sides of the debate. The delay in enforcement allows for further legal proceedings to take place and for the repeal law to come into effect. Gov. Katie Hobbs’ decision to repeal the ban was a significant step towards protecting women’s reproductive rights in the state. The court’s decision to issue a stay on the ban provides temporary relief for abortion providers and patients until a final resolution is reached.
The 1864 abortion ban in Arizona is a reminder of the ongoing efforts to restrict women’s access to reproductive healthcare. The repeal of this outdated law is a crucial win for abortion rights advocates and a step towards ensuring that women have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. The delay in enforcement of the ban gives hope that the repeal law will be allowed to take effect, ultimately providing women in Arizona with the right to safe and legal abortion care. It is a reminder of the importance of ongoing advocacy and legal efforts to protect women’s reproductive rights.
