Jan Brewer Signs Law Banning Most Abortions After 20 Weeks

By David Schwartz

PHOENIX--Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed into law on Thursday a controversial bill that bans most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, giving Republicans a win in ongoing national efforts to impose greater restrictions on abortion.

The measure, which state lawmakers gave a final nod to on Tuesday, would bar healthcare professionals from performing abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, except in the case of a medical emergency. Only a small number of these abortions are performed in the state.

With Brewer's signature, Arizona joins six other states that have put similar late-term abortion bans in place in the past two years based on hotly debated medical research suggesting that a fetus feels pain starting at 20 weeks of gestation.

Georgia lawmakers approved a similar bill in March that now awaits the signature of Republican Governor Nathan Deal.

Late-term abortions will still be allowed in Arizona in situations where continuing a pregnancy risks death or would "create serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function." This is to be determined by a physician's "good faith clinical judgment."

The law also requires a woman to have an ultrasound at least 24 hours prior to having an abortion, instead of the one hour previously mandated under state law.

State officials are required to create a website that details such items as the risks of the procedure and shows pictures of the fetus in various stages.

The U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortions nationwide in 1973 but allowed states to ban the procedure after the time when the fetus could potentially survive outside the womb, except where a woman's health was at risk.

(Editing Tim Gaynor and Cynthia Johnston; desking by Cynthia Osterman)

Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

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Comments

[johmich5]

02:56 PM on 04/27/2012

“Jan Brewer Signs Law Banning Most Abortions After 20 Weeks “

“The measure, which state lawmakers gave a final nod to on Tuesday, would bar healthcare professionals from performing abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, except in the case of a medical emergency.”

“Late-term abortions will still be allowed in Arizona in situations where continuing a pregnancy risks death or would "create serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function." This is to be determined by a physician's "good faith clinical judgment."

“The law also requires a woman to have an ultrasound at least 24 hours prior to having an abortion, instead of the one hour previously mandated under state law.”

“The U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortions nationwide in 1973 but allowed states to ban the procedure after the time when the fetus could potentially survive outside the womb, except where a woman's health was at risk.”
------------
All Good News, for Unborn Person’s Rights …

[jcbmack]

04:17 PM on 06/18/2012

I applaud Jan Brewer's decision. I am against the anti immigration actions in Arizona, but this I support.

[Nukualofa]

02:36 PM on 04/17/2012

Jan Brewer is a toe rag

[zigyboo]

10:08 AM on 04/17/2012

Here's my thing. I feel that it is wrong to force your religious views down other peoples throats. Now, I am a Christian, and will not be getting any abortions myself, but that is a personal choice. They're just using abortion to advance their political careers, and make themselves look good. Usually, when a woman doesn't want to have a baby, wether it be an abusive father, rape, or poverty, she has a good reason. Christian views shouldn't dictate other people's lives.

[DrBlunt]

12:28 AM on 04/17/2012

So Typical!

[geauxangel]

07:29 PM on 04/15/2012

I thiink we should all just agree to disagree...my mama taught me that is is never good to get into debates about politics, religion and abortion because everyone thinks their opinon is right...I am sorry if people are angry about this law, and hope that if you are against this law, that you never have to worry about it...sometimes I think that if a countries people would do a better job of policing themselves as humans, then maybe government would leave us alone...who knows? To each his own (her own)

[Larry Waters]

10:12 AM on 04/15/2012

This is from Jan Brewer's Facebook Page:

"Please VOTE and SHARE the attached link....TIME is conducting a poll of the 100 most influential people the past year. Over the past couple of days, liberal websites, media and bloggers have negatively been targeting me on the poll...and so far have been successful in their "NO" campaign against me.
Please help send a message to the liberals by VOTING for me and SHARING the link with your friends.

https://www.facebook.com/GovJanBrewer

As you can see Gov. Brewer has plenty of ego, but not a whole lot of maturity, but that can be said for many of those elected to serve the state of Arizona these days.

[cwebster]

11:52 AM on 04/15/2012

Wow...classy lady- NOT!

[willowraven]

07:55 PM on 04/15/2012

What is this High School all over again, " OH PLEASE MAKE ME MORE POPLAR"
OH good grief...

[tomteboda]

01:10 AM on 04/15/2012

I don't think the pro-choicers will be happy until post-birth abortions become legal.

[cwebster]

11:54 AM on 04/15/2012

The so-called pro-lifers are the ones in favour of that...it's called the death penalty.

Most of us who are pro-choice are also truly pro-life, unlike those who profess to be and are actually only pro-fetus forced birthers.

[Lady1genius]

01:41 PM on 04/15/2012

Amen. I prefer to think first of those who are with us already, not those who might or might not be. It seems that too many "pro-lifers" concern for the dignity of human life ends at the birth canal, especially their politicians. Too many of them are also against the very things that would serve to lower the abortion rate drastically, education and contraceptive use.
Currently in India, they are pioneering a MALE contraceptive method that is 100% effective, lasts up to ten years and is easily reversable. Thnk about that! This has the possibility of ending unwanted pregnancy as we currently know it, thus DRASTICALLY cutting the abortion rate. It is NON-SURGICAL as well. Let's see how the "pro-life" crowd will react to it when it comes to the USA.

[johmich5]

03:02 PM on 04/27/2012

Obama voted three times to allow abortion of live born babies. The 2003 Illinois Born-Alive Infants Protection bill (SB 1082) would have passed the Illinois Senate in 2003, if Chairman Obama had not killed it in his committee. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09300SB1082&GA=93&SessionId=3&DocTypeId=SB&LegID=3910&DocNum=1082&GAID=3&Session

[Nukualofa]

03:04 PM on 04/15/2012

How many children have been killed in Iraq and Afganistan by our war machine? Are you happy with this "post-birth abortions? Two failed wars have killed way too many children.

[jcbmack]

04:20 PM on 06/18/2012

I was always against the Iraq war, and I do support the efforts in Afghanistan/Pakistan because real terrorists do need to be brought to justice, however, drone attacks are reducing US soldier fatalities.

[Larry Waters]

11:55 PM on 04/14/2012

I'm no fan of my 67 year old governor, but the cheap shot comments about her appearance are way out of line.

[meelabean]

11:21 PM on 04/14/2012

Not surprising. This crone no longer has to worry about abuses against her reproductive rights, so she will strip them from others. These Republican women seem to suffer from a form of Stockholm Syndrome. They back the very men who would have them barefoot, pregnant and illiterate. Then to prove they are on the same level as these men do equally horrific things to their fellow women to prove their conservatism and "christian-ness." Sickening.

[Larry Waters]

11:04 PM on 04/14/2012

The anti-abortionists who appear to believe we can eliminate all elective abortions seem unaware that history has shown it isn't going to happen. Lowering the rate of abortions through education, prevention, and adoption, are laudable avenues, but the current trend of restriction of access will not work. Overall rate of abortions may be reduced, but the cost will be a return the horrors of the pre Roe v Wade era-women will die, be mutilated, or suffer from life threatening infections, due to illegal and self induced abortions.

I agree with to Pres. Clinton's view that abortion ought to be "safe, legal, and rare, but would also add accessible and affordable. Of course how one gets to the "rare' is the real issue.

I hope that someday those who are so vehemently opposed to abortions will accept a more pragmatic view so that all of the energy we spend fighting each other can instead be used to find that healthy balance in our society.

[cwebster]

11:59 AM on 04/15/2012

One way to get to the rare is to ensure that:
1) all schools teach proper sex education, and that parents are not allowed to opt out for their children.
2) Planned Parenthood and other Title X programs are fully funded
3) social safety nets are intact
4) contraception is easily obtainable
5) there is pay equality
6) there is work

[jcbmack]

04:21 PM on 06/18/2012

Agreed 100% cwebster

[johmich5]

03:05 PM on 04/27/2012

safe, legal, and rare
-------------
Infanticide safe, legal, and rare?
Sick!

[Zippy1169]

11:04 PM on 04/14/2012

This is just disgusting and that is coming from someone who really dislikes abortions. But you know what my decision does not need to be another's. What I would love to see happen is that as a country we do everything possible to minimize abortion. The problem is that the Anti Abortion folks are usually also anti birth control. Which makes zero sense to me. Not only does it make ZERO sense it is completely counter productive. So here are some recommendations for lowering the number of abortions in our country.

1) Fund and expand Planned Parenthood
2) Teach sex ed with a heavy concentration on birth and disease control.
3) Don't hide the truth teach to the reality of our youth today.
4) Oh and don't be ignorant talk about homosexuality and all.

Burying our heads in the sand is not effective, it is not working. And last but not least if you are Anit Abortion take a hard look at the stupidity of also being anti birth control.

[cwebster]

10:47 PM on 04/14/2012

Does the ultrasound 24 hours in advance rule apply if the woman is in extremis??

[Lady1genius]

06:00 AM on 04/15/2012

I seriously doubt it. If her placenta has abrupted, she doesn't HAVE 24 hours.

[cwebster]

12:00 PM on 04/15/2012

I know that and you know that...but do these brainless politicians THINK of that?

[ClaudiaC323]

10:38 PM on 04/14/2012

If you look at the face of Jan Brewer, you wish her mother had aborted her.

[markgoode]

10:08 PM on 04/14/2012

Court challenges coming in 3, 2, 1 . . . . .

[angiedailey628]

09:49 PM on 04/14/2012

Please explain to me why someone would need more than 20 weeks to make this decision.

[markgoode]

10:19 PM on 04/14/2012

When the doctors take more than 20 weeks to determine that the fetus has a deadly medical condition or that the woman's life or health are in danger.

[angiedailey628]

10:43 PM on 04/14/2012

Are those types of situations not given an exception?

[johmich5]

03:06 PM on 04/27/2012

Eugenicists...
Fan of Sanger I see.

[Larry Waters]

10:26 PM on 04/14/2012

Take a moment and think and you might come up with some explanations on your own.

[Lady1genius]

10:49 PM on 04/14/2012

Aren't you asking a bit much? People who would ask a question like that probably don't waste a lot of time thinking.

[angiedailey628]

10:58 PM on 04/14/2012

OK, what would be a situation that isn't given an exception?