Arizona repeals 1864 law banning nearly all abortions

Last week, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed a repeal of the state’s 1864 law banning nearly all abortions. The repeal will take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session. After that, a 2022 statue banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy will go back into place. Some social media users are celebrating the repeal, while others are claiming that Governor Hobbs is a “weak and terrible leader” who “cheated” to win her election. Some comments on social media posts about the repeal are expressing confusion about Arizona’s current abortion laws.

Recommendation: Articles and social media posts about the repeal may cause confusion about current abortion laws in Arizona and in other states. Messaging may emphasize abortion is currently legal in Arizona through 15 weeks of pregnancy. In June, the Arizona Supreme Court ruling banning abortion unless it is necessary to save the life of a pregnant person will go into effect. Starting this fall, 90 days after the legislative session ends, abortion will once again be legal in Arizona through 15 weeks of pregnancy. Staying up to date on trending narratives and preparing for questions about abortion laws in your state—as well as ensuring that FAQ sheets and public-facing websites are updated with the latest information about local abortion laws—is recommended.