Judge permanently blocks Arizona’s 15-week abortion ban

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A 15-week abortion ban in Arizona has officially been blocked and declared unconstitutional.

The decision by the Maricopa County Superior Court was announced Wednesday morning.

This new ruling permanently blocks the 15-week abortion ban, although Arizona Attorney General had previously said she would not enforce it even if the court upheld the ban.

Earlier in 2024, the Arizona Supreme Court voted to uphold the 1864 law that banned nearly all abortions in Arizona. Shortly after, Gov. Katie Hobbs urged the state legislature to take immediate action to undo the ban, and state lawmakers voted on a bill to repeal the law, which was signed into law in May.

In November 2024, voters approved Proposition 139, which allowed for abortions up until the point of “fetal viability” — or the point at which a fetus can survive outside the uterus — at 22-24 weeks.

This case was brought before the Superior Court in December 2024 by Planned Parenthood Arizona Inc. and two physicians, asking the court to declare the ban unconstitutional.

Their request was granted by Judge Frank Moskowitz.

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