Phoenix, Ariz., Jul 16, 2009 / 03:55 am
The Arizona Catholic Conference says the latest state legislature session was “truly extraordinary” and possibly the most pro-life session in Arizona history. Abortion restrictions were passed while tax credits for student vouchers and non-profits were preserved or expanded. Further, a weighty anti-immigrant bill went down in defeat.
Characterizing the legislative session, which ended July 1, as “one of the most unusual and bitter legislative sessions in memory,” Ron Johnson of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) listed legislative achievements in a “wrap-up” announcement.
Johnson said the ACC was “especially grateful” that Governor Jan Brewer signed into law the Abortion Consent Bill, which requires informed consent and a 24-hour waiting period before abortions, tightens parental consent requirements. The new laws also specify that non-physicians cannot perform surgical abortions and they provide conscience protections for health care workers and pharmacists.
According to Johnson, the provisions barring non-physicians from performing abortions were added because new information showed that nurse practitioners performed more abortions than previously thought.