A new measure enacted Thursday temporarily allows Arizona abortion providers to perform the procedure in the neighboring state of California.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill, which takes effect immediately, in response to a recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling that a near-total ban on abortion from 1864 is enforceable in the state.
The law too would allow patients to have abortions in California with your health providers in Arizona until November 30.
“Arizona Republicans tried to go back to 1864 to impose a near-total ban on abortion statewide. “We refuse to stand by and acquiesce to their oppressive and dangerous attacks on women,” the Democratic governor declared in a statement this Thursday.
The fate of the Arizona prohibition of 1864, which does not contemplate exceptions for rape or incest, is still in the air. The state Supreme Court delayed its implementation by several months, so Arizona's 15-week abortion ban will be law until September 26, according to the Arizona attorney general's office.
The California Legislative Women's Caucus took the reins in drafting state legislation. Its chair, state Sen. Nancy Skinner, said the new law can provide Arizona women with a safe haven to obtain abortions when the 1864 law takes effect.
“Our sisters from Arizona can come to California to receive the health care they need from the doctors they know and trust,” Skinner said in a statement. “California has made it very clear to all those who need or provide essential reproductive care: We have your back.”
(Supreme Court examines whether doctors can perform emergency abortions in states that prohibit it)
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a repeal of the ban on May 2, but that move will not take effect until 90 days after the state legislature session endswhich will probably happen in July.
