Abortion rights groups are launching a bid to enshrine abortion protections into the Arizona Constitution. A political action committee, Arizona for Abortion Access is supporting the ballot measure effort and is expected to file proposed language for the amendment with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office soon.
The proposed language would guarantee the right to an abortion up until fetal viability, which is approximately 22 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. It would require abortions be allowed after that time when necessary to protect the life of physical or mental health of the patient. Currently, Arizona law prohibits abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Cathi Herrod, President of the Center for Arizona Policy Action released the following statement regarding the proposed amendment:
“The abortion industry’s effort to safeguard its business brings a new radical ballot measure to Arizona, courtesy of outside money and special interests. We know from their measures in other states that these efforts reach beyond Roe with near universal exceptions that allow abortion past the point at which the unborn baby feels horrible pain and to the point of birth. These measures also threaten parental rights, leaving parents out of their daughter’s most consequential decisions.”
