This bill seeks to modernize Arizona's abortion statutes by expanding the roles of healthcare providers, specifically allowing nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants to perform functions previously restricted to physicians. It introduces new definitions, such as "surgical abortion" and "health care provider," while repealing outdated language that limited the scope of practice for these professionals. Key deletions include restrictions on non-physicians performing surgical abortions and the requirement for ultrasound procedures to be conducted solely by physicians. The bill also updates informed consent requirements, emphasizing parental consent for minors while allowing for judicial authorization in certain cases.

Additionally, the bill modifies civil penalties and legal recourse for individuals claiming rights violations related to abortion procedures, including the ability to file civil actions for lack of informed consent. It removes the ability of certain relatives to file civil actions regarding informed consent violations and clarifies statutory damages for violations. The bill also expands the list of healthcare providers required to inform women about perinatal hospice services and repeals outdated sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Overall, the proposed changes aim to streamline the legal framework surrounding abortion services and enhance the responsibilities of healthcare providers in the informed consent process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1606, 32-2501, 32-2531, 32-2532, 36-449.01, 36-449.03, 36-2151, 36-2152, 36-2153, 36-2155, 36-2156, 36-2158, 36-2160, 36-2161, 36-2162.01, 36-2301, 36-2301.01, 36-2301.02, 32-3248.03, 41-1750, 92-544, 13-604, 32-1669, 32-1668, 32-1651, 32-1272, 32-2536, 32-2521, 32-1901, 41-1831, 36-661, 91-513, 35-146, 35-147, 32-2504, 32-3248, 32-3248.01, 36-301, 36-405, 36-431.01, 36-427, 36-430, 13-3603.02, 32-3201, 41-319, 13-3620, 11-593, 36-329