ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona Supreme Court grants 90-day delay on enforcement of state’s 1864 abortion law

May 13, 2024, 3:34 PM | Updated: 4:32 pm

PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court on Monday granted a 90-day stay on allowing the state’s 1864 abortion law to go back into effect, clearing the way for a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The decision doesn’t allow the law to go into effect until Sept. 26, giving Attorney General Kris Mayes more time to consider filing an appeal and lessening the possible time the law could be enforceable in Arizona. Before the decision, the law could have been enforced starting June 26.

What is the current abortion law in Arizona?

The 15-week pregnancy law is currently in effect as Arizona’s prevailing law.

The Arizona Legislature voted to repeal the 1864 law last month and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2677 on May 2. The bill won’t become effective until 90 days after the legislative session concludes, so a period during which almost all abortions could be prohibited in the state is still possible. The legislative session typically ends in June or July.

Mayes has vowed to explore all options to keep the 160-year-old law from taking effect.

“I continue to believe this case was wrongly decided and there are issues that merit additional judicial review,” Mayes said in a statement. “I will do everything I can to ensure that doctors can provide medical care for their patients according to their best judgment, not the beliefs of the men elected to the territorial legislature 160 years ago.”

What’s the recent history of Arizona abortion now?

Arizona’s abortion rights battle began after the state Supreme Court set the clock back to the 1864 law on April 9.

The law, which dated back to before Arizona became a state, made it illegal to perform an abortion except when necessary to save the mother’s life. There were no exceptions for survivors of rape or incest. It carried a sentence of 2-5 years in prison for doctors or anyone else who assists in an abortion.

After the ruling, Democrats pushed forward House Bill 2677, but it took bipartisan support to finally bring it to Hobbs’ desk.

The House passed it with votes from three Republicans. After that, the Senate passed it with two votes from Republicans.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

CarMax, the nation’s largest used vehicle seller, is hiring after announcing a new reconditioning...

David Veenstra

CarMax hiring for new West Valley reconditioning and auction center

CarMax, the nation’s largest used vehicle seller, is hiring after announcing a new reconditioning and auction center in the West Valley on Thursday.

1 hour ago

Emergency air medical base opens at Abrazo West Campus Goodyear...

Serena O'Sullivan

New emergency helicopter base opens at West Valley hospital

A new emergency air medical base in Goodyear will expand the presence of life-saving care provider Air Methods, the company said on Wednesday.

3 hours ago

DOGE access lawsuit...

KTAR.com

Arizona to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal data

Arizona is about 12 states that plan to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal data

4 hours ago

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called for increased state firefighter pay on Thursday during an event to ...

Kevin Stone

Arizona governor calls for pay raise for firefighters while honoring those who battled LA wildfires

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called for increased state firefighter pay while honoring the task force members who helped battle the Los Angeles wildfires.

7 hours ago

free wigs...

Kevin Stone

Arizona cancer support group opening free wig salon in Phoenix

An Arizona cancer support organization is launching an initiative to provide patients and survivors experiencing hair loss with free wigs.

8 hours ago

fatal Glendale car crash killed mother car crashed into Glendale home Arizona...

Serena O'Sullivan

Suspect arrested after car crashes into house in Glendale, killing homeowner, 3 months ago

Celeste La Sean Downer, 22, was arrested on Tuesday for the fatal Glendale car crash that struck a mother of two on Nov. 10, 2024.

9 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

Arizona Supreme Court grants 90-day delay on enforcement of state’s 1864 abortion law