A new law was passed last legislative session (HB 2416) that expanded the definition of an abortion to include “any means” (the former definition was limited to surgical abortions) and changed the qualifications for who can perform the procedure.  For us, it meant that beginning July 21 (when the law was to take effect) we’d be responsible for ensuring compliance with the new provisions (including licensing an additional 12 or so abortion clinics).  We already license them; outpatient treatment clinics- so our job would be to ensure that they also comply with our abortion clinic rules.  However, earlier this year Planned Parenthood of AZ challenged some aspects of the new law-and at a hearing this week a judge held up the implementation of the new law pending an August 22nd hearing.