Arizona judge blocks new abortion law

[forum_admin]

A state judge on Tuesday blocked implementation of several key parts of a new Arizona law restricting abortions, while allowing a few provisions to take effect.

The preliminary injunction issued by Judge Donald Daughton of Maricopa County Superior Court allows a 24-hour waiting period to take affect, but he blocked requirements that a woman see a doctor in person for advance disclosures before getting an abortion.

The so-called "informed consent" consultation can be by telephone and by a qualified staff member, Daughton said in his ruling on a request by Planned Parenthood, the state's major abortion provider.

He also blocked provisions prohibiting nurse practitioners from performing surgical abortions, requiring the notarizing of parental consent forms for a minor's abortion and expanding the state's existing law that now permits health-care workers to refuse to participate in abortions.

The expansion would cover any involvement, not just active participation, as well as emergency contraception.