Arizona Court Asked to Implement Abortion Ban Before Repeal

Arizona officials should be allowed to prosecute doctors under an 1864 near-total abortion ban before its repeal takes effect later this year, a doctor told the state’s top court.

The doctor on Tuesday asked the Arizona Supreme Court to deny Planned Parenthood Arizona Inc.'s request that it hold off making its decision upholding the ban final until the repeal takes effect, which is expected in September. Arizona lawmakers voted to repeal the statute in early May, but it won’t kick in until 91 days after the legislative session ends in June or July.

Eric Hazelrigg, an obstetrician-gynecologist who opposes abortion ...