A Statement from Center for Arizona Policy President Cathi Herrod

Today, Arizona lawmakers adopted changes to Arizona’s abortion reporting law.

Sponsored by Senator Nancy Barto, the Arizona Senate passed SB 1394 by a vote of 17-13. Earlier this week, the Arizona House passed SB 1394 by a vote of 35-22. The bill now goes to Governor Ducey for his consideration.

This vote should have been unanimous by both houses. It’s unfortunate that those who favor legalized abortion are so blinded by their ideology that they choose to oppose reporting requirements designed to help meet the needs of women and to assist policymakers. I encourage all Arizonans to look beyond the rhetoric and read this common-sense legislation.

These changes will provide significant data to enable policymakers and others to better meet the needs of women considering an abortion.

SB 1394 enhances existing abortion reporting laws by:

• Expanding information required in abortion reports and abortion complication reports
• Creating a new informed consent report
• Adding provisions to further protect a woman’s privacy
• Requiring more specific information in the annual abortion statistical report prepared by the Department of Health Services

A key provision will assist women who have been victims of crimes, like sexual assault, with the resources needed to report the crime to law enforcement and to access any services meeting their needs, if the woman so chooses. Additionally, women who have been victims of human trafficking will be provided information about the national human trafficking hotline available to help them escape their situation.

I applaud the House and the Senate for their bold actions in protecting the health and wellbeing of Arizonans.

Center for Arizona Policy promotes and defends the foundational values of life, marriage and family, and religious freedom.
For more information, visit azpolicy.org.
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