Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs stripped counties of their right to hold authority over abortion prosecutions in an executive order announced on Friday.
Under the executive order (pdf), Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has exclusive authority over criminal prosecutions of medical providers, other entities, or individuals for violations of Arizona’s abortion statutes.
The order also prohibits state agencies from assisting investigations by other states for violations of abortion laws if the alleged conduct isn’t punishable under Arizona law and bars extraditions to other states for alleged violations of abortion laws that wouldn’t be illegal in Arizona.
Arizona Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs (R) looks on as Kris Mayes (L), Democratic candidate for Arizona Attorney General, speaks at a press conference calling for abortion rights in Tucson, Ariz., on Oct. 7, 2022. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“I made a promise to Arizonans that I would do everything in my power to protect reproductive freedom, and this Executive Order reflects that promise,” Hobbs said during a press conference. “I will not allow extreme and out-of-touch politicians to get in the way of the fundamental right Arizonans have to make decisions about their own bodies and futures. I will continue to fight to expand access to safe and legal abortion in any way I can.”…