SW News: As the US Supreme Court weighs the case that could overturn the ruling that legalized abortion in the country, yet another state has reiterated its pro-life stand. Arizona House Representatives passed the SB 1164 Bill on Thursday, March 24, to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, reaffirming the value of life from conception until natural birth.

Under the bill, any medical professional in the southwestern US State will be imprisoned for a year, and their medical license will be called off if they provide abortion. The bill, which mirrors the Mississippi Gestational Age Act, does not provide exceptions even in cases of rape or incest. The legislation will now go to Governor Doug Ducey, who is expected to sign the same. Arizona is among the states with the strictest abortion restrictions, including one that would immediately criminalize abortion if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade, which legalized abortion in the US in 1973.

The Arizona House on Thursday also passed another bill prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from having gender reassignment surgery. The bill also bans transgender students from participating in a girls’ sports team.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a bill banning abortion at any point of pregnancy and allows individuals to sue those involved. However, the bill mirroring Texas’ Heartbeat Act bill provides an exception if the mother’s health is at risk.

Recently, Idaho governor Little Brad signed a Texas-model bill into legislation. Earlier this month, Florida also passed a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.