Reproductive rights advocates have filed a lawsuit in Arizona to challenge the state’s 15-week abortion ban, citing conflicts with a newly approved constitutional amendment that expands access to abortion up to the point of fetal viability.
The lawsuit, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, and the Center for Reproductive Rights, was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court on behalf of Planned Parenthood’s Arizona chapter and two physicians. The advocates argue that the 15-week ban violates pregnant individuals’ constitutional rights and autonomy.
The 15-week abortion restriction was passed by Arizona’s Republican-controlled legislature before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, though it went into effect afterward. Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes has agreed not to enforce the ban while the case is ongoing, according to spokesperson Richie Taylor.
The lawsuit also seeks to eliminate penalties imposed by the 15-week law, including potential criminal charges against physicians who perform abortions after 15 weeks, except in emergencies. Providers violating the ban risk suspension or revocation of their medical licenses.
Arizona voters approved a constitutional amendment in the 2024 general election to safeguard abortion rights, making it one of five states to pass such measures.
This move gained urgency following an April state Supreme Court ruling that allowed enforcement of an 1864 near-total abortion ban. Before it could take effect, bipartisan lawmakers repealed the 19th-century law.
The Arizona lawsuit marks a broader push against restrictive abortion laws nationwide. In Nevada, voters approved a similar constitutional amendment, requiring one more round of approval in 2026 to take effect.
In New York, voters passed a measure banning discrimination based on “pregnancy outcomes.” Advocates are hopeful that these measures will bolster access to reproductive care in the face of ongoing legal battles.
