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Prohibiting Public Funding for Aboriton

This bill modifies Arizona's existing law regarding public funding for family planning services by prohibiting state or local governments from contracting with or providing grants to any entity that performs or promotes abortions. The bill changes the language around abortion-related restrictions, removing the term "nonfederally qualified" and expanding the prohibition to include facilities that promote abortions, not just perform them. The legislation maintains a priority order for distributing public funds for family planning services, starting with state-owned health facilities, then hospitals, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and primary health service providers. The bill allows the attorney general or county attorney to take legal action to enforce these restrictions, and any entity potentially impacted by funding reductions can also bring a lawsuit. Entities found to be in violation could face legal consequences, including potential recoupment of funds and mandatory attorney fees. The bill also updates definitions related to public monies, hospitals, health centers, and rural health clinics, and removes a previous definition of "nonfederally qualified abortion." The goal appears to be further restricting public funding for entities associated with abortion services.1