SB 1646 Summary

• Expands who can perform abortions to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants (in addition to physicians), with surgical abortions limited to "health care providers" as defined in the bill.

• Prohibits physician assistants from performing surgical abortions and prescribing medication to induce abortion.

• Removes the nursing board's authority to determine scope of practice relating to abortion; makes abortion scope decisions legislative rather than regulatory.

• Updates all abortion-related statutes to reference "health care providers" (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) instead of only physicians in informed consent, parental consent, ultrasound, and reporting requirements.

• Repeals section 36-3604 (Arizona Revised Statutes) related to abortion regulations.