Aggregated News
Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill that makes Arizona the first state to ban abortions based on the race of a fetus and one of the few that have banned abortions based on gender.
Under HB 2443, authored by Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, doctors who perform such abortions would face felony charges carrying prison terms and could lose their medical licenses.
When the law takes effect about three months after the end of this legislative session, doctors will have to sign affidavits stating the reason for an abortion isn't the fetus' race or sex. The father, if married to the woman who gets an abortion, can sue a doctor he believes performed an abortion based on race or sex. If the woman isn't 18, her parents can sue.
With a few exceptions, Republicans and Democrats were divided on the legislation and on whether race- or sex-selection abortions are happening in Arizona. Supporters said the measure prevents discrimination, while dissenters called it degrading to women and based on myths.
Earlier in the session, Montenegro staunchly claimed that...
Under HB 2443, authored by Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, doctors who perform such abortions would face felony charges carrying prison terms and could lose their medical licenses.
When the law takes effect about three months after the end of this legislative session, doctors will have to sign affidavits stating the reason for an abortion isn't the fetus' race or sex. The father, if married to the woman who gets an abortion, can sue a doctor he believes performed an abortion based on race or sex. If the woman isn't 18, her parents can sue.
With a few exceptions, Republicans and Democrats were divided on the legislation and on whether race- or sex-selection abortions are happening in Arizona. Supporters said the measure prevents discrimination, while dissenters called it degrading to women and based on myths.
Earlier in the session, Montenegro staunchly claimed that...