The law, which was on the books long before Arizona achieved statehood in 1912, outlaws abortion from the moment of conception, except when necessary to save the life of the mother, and it makes no exceptions for rape or incest. It bans all types of abortions, including medication abortions.
Until now, abortion had been legal in Arizona through 15 weeks of pregnancy. Since the
overturning of Roe v. Wade nearly two years ago, supporters and opponents of abortion rights in Arizona had been fighting in court over whether the 1864 law, which had sat dormant for decades, could be enforced, or whether it had been effectively neutered by decades of other state laws that regulate and restrict abortion.
Doctors prosecuted under the law could face fines and prison terms of two to five years for
providing, supplying or administering care to a pregnant woman.
Lawmakers voted to repeal an 1864 law that bans nearly all abortions. Here’s what to know about the fight over the law.
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