California Governor Newsom has a new take on the idea of a sanctuary state. He has officially offered his own state up to Arizona abortion providers who wish to perform their services when a near-total abortion ban goes into effect in Arizona soon. 

Arizona ruled in April that an 1864 law banning abortions or the aiding of an abortion was the last known law passed by the state and therefore active. The law was codified first in 1901 and protects the life of an unborn child from conception, only giving the exception when the mother’s life is in danger. A 15-week ban was passed in 2022 by the state, but in the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the 15-week ban was nullified.

In a 4-2 ruling, the court’s majority concluded that the 15-week ban “does not create a right to, or otherwise provide independent statutory authority for, an abortion that repeals or restricts” the Civil War-era ban “but rather is predicated entirely on the existence of a federal constitutional right to an abortion since disclaimed” by the 2022 Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

Although controversial, the overturn of Roe v. Wade determined that abortion rights must be decided at the state level. States like Arizona had laws based on federal law now nullified, causing both the left and the right to scramble to try to get state legislation passed in their favor. 

California Senator Nancy Skinner and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry began working immediately in April on their idea to create a haven for those unhappy with the law. Senate Bill 233 was signed into effect Thursday, May 23rd. 

Under the new bill, Arizona doctors may travel to California and perform abortions for their clients under the oversight of California’s Medical Board and Osteopathic Medical Board. The bill covers the doctors until November 30th, by which Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs hopes to have the strict ban appealed. On May 2nd, the governor signed a repeal of the 1864 law but it will not go into effect 90 days after the Legislature’s legislative session ends. 

The extremism of the 1864 law caused different opinions among pro-lifers with some worrying that the counter effect would be a much more liberal abortion law than the previous 15-week ban. Pro-abortion groups have garnered enough signatures to get abortion on the ballot this November and they are seeking a measure that would allow an abortion at any time in the pregnancy if the doctor determines that the mother’s mental or physical health is at risk. 

Pro-life groups have been gathering for prayer and activism.

“It’s imperative for pro-life citizens in Arizona to educate themselves and their neighbors about this extreme constitutional amendment,” March for Life president Jeanne Mancini told CT. The measure, she said, would “open the floodgates to painful abortion up until birth, ending precious, innocent life and stripping women of the health and safety protections they need and deserve.”

Whatever decision is made for Arizona, Governor Newsom has shown that California intends to offer the services it want the people of Arizona to have, even if it is not the elected state law.