A judge is to consider whether a new Arizona law restricting abortion due to genetic conditions is a ban or a restriction, the Arizona Daily Star reports.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed the bill in April. The bill — which the Daily Star notes is to go into effect the middle of next week — prohibits abortions for fetal genetic anomalies, though includes exceptions for genetic conditions that are considered lethal, and confers civil rights upon fetuses. Healthcare workers who provide abortions due to genetic conditions could face jail time, but the pregnant individual would not.
The lawsuit, brought by groups including the Center for Reproductive Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union, argues that the bill is unconstitutional. Emily Nestler, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said, according to the Daily Star, that the state may impose restrictions on abortion, but may not ban it.
According to the Associated Press, the judge in the case, Douglas Rayes, questioned the attorneys for more than two hours. He in particular focused on a provision in the law that requires doctors to tell patients that Arizona law does not allow abortions for genetic conditions and how that might affect patients' ability to get an abortion from that or another provider, it adds.