Planned Parenthood of Arizona announced they will resume setting abortion appointments in the state as the legal battle surrounding Arizona’s ban on almost all abortions continues.
Planned Parenthood representatives announced the change at a press conference, where they characterized the situation in Arizona as “the chaos and uncertainty over the state of abortion access,” according to AZFamily.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich affirmed ARS-3603, which bans abortions except in the case of conserving the life of the mother, shortly after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
“Our office has concluded the Arizona Legislature has made its intentions clear regarding abortion laws. ARS 13-3603 is back in effect and will not be repealed in 90 Days by SB1164. We will soon be asking the court to vacate the injunction which was put in place following Roe v. Wade in light of the Dobbs decision earlier this month,” Brnovich wrote in a statement posted to Twitter in June.
Our office has concluded the Arizona Legislature has made its intentions clear regarding abortion laws. pic.twitter.com/jvjKXaXKwd
— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) June 29, 2022
As a lawsuit progressed from Planned Parenthood of Arizona and another from the Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union was placed on hold, Brnovich agreed with pro-abortion groups to revert to the 15-week ban on all abortions until a verdict is reached in the Planned Parenthood suit, the outlet reported. Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed the 15-week ban into law prior to the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
“Our goal has always been about pursuing clarity and consistency in the law, and we will now have that while the litigation moves forward in state and federal courts,” the attorney general’s office said earlier in October, according to the outlet.
The lawsuit is expected to advance to the Arizona Supreme Court, according to AZFamily. After November’s election, a new governor could call a special session of the state legislature to address the matter with an update to the existing law.