The state Senate approved a bill requiring doctors to tell women seeking abortions that their fetuses could experience pain even if the women receive pain medication.
The Senate approved the bill (HB2554) on a 17-13 vote yesterday.
Democrat Linda Aguirre sided with 16 Republicans in voting for the bill and Republicans Toni Hellon of Tucson and Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale joined 11 Democrats in voting against it.
The measure was passed earlier by the House and goes to Gov. Janet Napolitano, an abortion-rights supporter who since taking office in 2003 has vetoed several measures supported by abortion opponents.
Supporters said the bill would help ensure that women could make informed decisions about their health.
Critics said the bill is intended to erode abortion rights.
The bill’s proposed requirement would apply to pregnant women with fetuses at least 20 weeks from conception.
It would not apply to women with medical conditions in which an immediate abortion is needed to save their lives or to avoid serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of major bodily function.
Under the bill, a physician who violates the requirement would be deemed to have engaged in unprofessional conduct and be subject to a license suspension or revocation.