In a significant development, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed legislation on May 2, 2024, to repeal the state's long-standing near-total abortion ban that dates back to 1864. The repeal comes after years of efforts by reproductive rights advocates and Democrats to overturn the law that prohibited abortions at all stages of pregnancy except in cases where it was necessary to save a mother's life, threatening providers with prison sentences.
The signing ceremony took place one day after the bill passed the GOP-held Senate, where two Republicans joined forces with all 14 Democrats to advance the measure. The debate over the bill was contentious, with Republicans criticizing Democratic leaders and potential fall ballot initiatives that could enshrine abortion rights into Arizona's constitution.
At the signing ceremony, Hobbs and other Democratic leaders framed the repeal as a crucial step in a larger struggle for reproductive rights.