Does Arizona law act as a ban on abortion? Judge weighs request to block its implementation
Groups seeking to overturn part of Arizona's newest law restricting abortion took their case before a federal judge on Wednesday, just one week before doctors who perform the procedure could face criminal penalties including prison time in certain circumstances.
The measure — passed by the Republican-majority Legislature and signed by Gov. Doug Ducey in April — makes it a crime for medical providers to terminate a pregnancy based on genetic conditions such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis.
The sweeping new law also gives civil rights to fetuses at any stage of development, and provides for abortions based on genetic conditions only if those conditions are considered "lethal."
U.S. District Court Judge Douglas L. Rayes peppered lawyers for the groups and the state with questions for more than two hours during a hearing conducted via telephone.
Read more: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/09/22/arizona-anti-abortion-law-lawsuit-genetic-conditions-hearing/5802852001/