Lawsuit filed to block new Arizona abortion law

July 12, 2012

There’s a new legal challenge against an Arizona abortion law that’s set to take effect Aug. 2. KJZZ’s Lynn Kelly reports.

The lawsuit was filed today by abortion-rights groups -- filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Arizona and the Center for Reproductive Rights -- on behalf of three physicians. It targets provisions that generally ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Arizona now allows abortions until the fetus becomes viable -- that generally happens at about 22 to 24 weeks.

The suit claims the law's exception for health risks is too narrow and that the law interferes with health care at a time when most pregnant women undergo prenatal testing.

Attorney General Tom Horne said his office will vigorously defend the law. Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill in April after the Legislature approved it.