PHOENIX — Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has signed a sweeping anti-abortion bill banning the procedure if the woman seeks it solely because a fetus has a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome.
BREAKING: Arizona’s governor just signed a new bill that will criminalize abortions based on a genetic abnormality.
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) April 27, 2021
The bill makes it a Class 6 felony to “perform an abortion solely because of a genetic abnormality.” pic.twitter.com/ZRu1wUx2Yu
The measure he approved Tuesday has a host of other provisions championed by anti-abortion groups, including a requirement that fetal remains be buried or cremated and conferring civil rights on a fetus.
Read the full text of the bill.
Ducey is a Republican who opposes abortion and has never vetoed a piece of anti-abortion legislation.
Arizona remains among the top pro-life states in the nation, and my sincere thanks goes to Senator Nancy Barto for her leadership and work on this life-saving issue and to those who supported this bill. #SB1457 @azpolicy 2/2
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) April 27, 2021
Republicans who oppose abortion in the Legislature backed the measure.
The measure was a top priority for the social conservative group Center for Arizona Policy. Cathi Herrod is the president.
"Our laws and our culture do not discriminate against born individuals because of genetic conditions, neither should be discriminate against unborn children simply with a genetic condition," said Herrod. "This is the state of Arizona doing its duty to protect the vulnerable and to protect human life."
Murphy Bannerman is with the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona.
"It's a deeply disappointing day for Arizonans," said Bannerman. "This is something that will criminalize doctors in our state and likely push many doctors to leave our state for fear of this law."
Bannerman said the law is unconstitutional and will have a devastating consequence on doctors and families.
"There are a number of reasons for why people may seek out these types of abortions, and it's critical that the government isn't interfering in that conversation between the patient and the doctor," she said.
Democrats unanimously opposed it and called it an attack on women's reproductive rights.
