Attorney General Kris Mayes hit the ground running on her first day in office to protect reproductive rights in Arizona. The first-ever Reproductive Rights Unit within the Attorney General's Office (AGO) stays attuned to key issues and legal developments in the reproductive healthcare space, as well as coordinates with other states and groups nationwide to protect and expand access. Attorney General Mayes has also vowed to keep Arizonans informed on the state of the law and updates in reproductive healthcare.
Actions
Attorney General Mayes takes legal positions that will protect the health, safety, and privacy of all Arizonans. Under her leadership, Arizona has joined with other states in affirmative litigation to preserve and expand reproductive freedoms in our state and across the country.
Protecting access to reproductive healthcare in the courts
The Attorney General is actively litigating against an attempt to resurrect a near-total ban on abortions from Arizona's territorial days. AGO is fighting to defend the court of appeals’ decision held that a licensed doctor who performs an abortion that is legal under the newer laws cannot be prosecuted under the older law.
Medication abortion is legal in Arizona
Attorney General Mayes joined a multi-state lawsuit asking a federal court in Washington to lift unnecessary restrictions on mifepristone, a medication abortion drug that has been used safely for over twenty years. Because of Arizona's participation in this important lawsuit, mifepristone is currently legal and accessible in the state.
At the same time, the AGO also filed a brief opposing an anti-choice activist lawsuit in a federal court in Texas seeking to ban access to mifepristone nationwide.
Health care privacy
On the regulatory front, AGO has submitted comments in support of proposed federal regulation that would safeguard reproductive health care privacy under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Attorney General Mayes issued data privacy guidance for those seeking reproductive health care now or in the future. The guidance offers tips for consumers who want to exercise greater control over their digital footprint and the collection of personal data.
Executive Order Protecting Reproductive Freedom in Arizona
Arizonans should know that cases related to Arizona’s abortion statutes are currently being litigated in the courts. Those cases could affect the state of the law here.
However, Governor Hobbs issued an Executive Order on June 23, 2023, which directed the Attorney General’s Office to assume authority over any criminal prosecutions for violations of laws restricting access to abortion care. Attorney General Mayes will not bring or authorize prosecutions against medical personnel who provide abortion care, nor against patients seeking abortion care.
Announcements and actions regarding reproductive rights:
- Attorney General Mayes Issues Statement on Repeal of 1864 Abortion Ban (May 1, 2024)
- Attorney General Mayes Asks Arizona Supreme Court to Stay Mandate in Planned Parenthood v. Hazelrigg (April 30, 2024)
- Attorney General Mayes Issues Statement on House Repeal of 1864 Abortion Ban (April 24, 2024)
- Attorney General Mayes Sends Letter to Hospitals and Medical Providers Clarifying Abortion Law Status (April 19, 2024)
- Attorney General Mayes Condemns Legislative Republicans for Blocking Repeal of 1864 Abortion Ban (April 17, 2024)
- Attorney General Mayes Statement on Planned Parenthood of AZ v. Mayes (April 9, 2024)
- Attorney General Mayes Clarifies IVF Law, Vows to Protect Treatment in Arizona (March 6, 2024)
- Attorney General Mayes and Coalition of Attorneys General Urge Supreme Court to Reverse Lower Court's Ruling on Medication Abortion (October 13, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Issues Statement on Arizona Supreme Court Decision to Grant Review in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes (August 23, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Issues Statement on Mifepristone Opinion (August 17, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Issues Reproductive Health Care Data Privacy Guidance for Consumers (August 16, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes, multistate coalition argue Idaho’s abortion “travel ban” is illegal (August 1, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Statement on Anniversary of Overturning of Roe v. Wade (June 23, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Joins Coalition of 24 States in Support of Stronger Federal Protections for Reproductive Health Data Privacy (June 19, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Joins 22 States to Protect Patients Against Texas’ Attempt to Exclude Abortion from Emergency Healthcare (May 9, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Releases Statement on SCOTUS Mifepristone Order (April 21, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Provides Updates on the Status of Mifepristone in Arizona (April 13, 2023)
- Attorney General Mayes Joins Multistate Coalition to Fight Back Against Decision to Block Medication Abortion Access (April 10, 2023)
- Attorney General Kris Mayes Statement on Mifepristone Rulings (April 10, 2023)
- AG Mayes Sues FDA Over Unlawful, Unnecessary Restrictions on Medication Abortion Drug (February 24, 2023)