Arizona governor signs bill to repeal state’s 1864 near-total abortion ban

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Thursday signed a bill that will repeal a Civil War-era law aimed at banning most abortions in the state.

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The bill is not expected to take effect until the fall, 90 days after the legislative session ends in June or July, according to The Associated Press. Once the repeal takes effect, a 2002 statute that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy will become the state’s prevailing abortion law.

“Today we are doing what 23 governors and 55 legislatures refused to do, and I am so proud to be the ones that got this job done,” Hobbs, a Democrat, said, according to AZ Central. She also said she would “do everything in my power to protect our reproductive freedomsthe because I trust women to make the decisions that are best for them.”

The repeal will reverse the law that bans nearly all abortions except those that have to be done to save the mother’s life, the AP reported. The vote passed the Senate on Wednesday on a 16 to 14 vote before making its way to Hobbs.

“This total abortion ban would have jailed doctors, threatened the lives of women across our state and stripped millions of Arizonans of their bodily autonomy. The devastating consequences of this archaic ban are why I’ve called for it to be repealed since day one of my administration. Thank you to Democratic members of the House and Senate for working tirelessly with me to repeal this draconian law,” Hobbs said in a statement.

“I will never stop fighting to protect reproductive freedom. Arizona women should not have to live in a state where politicians make decisions that should be between a woman and her doctor.

“While this repeal is essential for protecting women’s lives, it is just the beginning of our fight to protect reproductive healthcare in Arizona. I will continue to call on the legislature to pass the Arizona Right to Contraception Act and protect IVF from ongoing attacks. And I encourage every Arizonan to make their voices heard this November when abortion rights will be on the ballot,” Hobbs continued.

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