SB 1531 Summary

• Expands who can perform abortions by allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants (in addition to physicians) to perform medication abortions and provide abortion-related care, subject to specified training and licensing requirements.

• Removes the 24-hour waiting period requirement before abortion procedures, allowing abortions to proceed without the mandatory reflection period previously required by law.

• Prohibits physician assistants from performing surgical abortions while permitting them to perform medication abortions and related services like ultrasounds and informed consent counseling.

• Updates abortion clinic regulations and reporting requirements to reflect that nurse practitioners and physician assistants can now perform certain abortion procedures and provide pre- and post-abortion care.

• Repeals section 36-3604 and makes conforming changes throughout the Arizona Revised Statutes to recognize nurse practitioners and physician assistants as authorized health care providers for abortion services.