Hearings will begin next Tuesday in both state and federal courts in two separate lawsuits aimed at blocking new Arizona abortion restrictions scheduled to take effect on Sept. 30, the AP/Google News reports. Both suits challenge a provision requiring abortion providers to give women specific information 24 hours before the procedure. The federal case also seeks to block a provision preventing providers from receiving payment for any medical services from a woman on the same day that she has an abortion consultation (Davenport, AP/Google News, 9/23).

The state challenge was filed by Planned Parenthood Arizona in Maricopa County Superior Court, while the Center for Reproductive Rights filed its suit in U.S. District Court on behalf of plaintiffs that include Tucson abortion providers (Women's Health Policy Report, 9/15).

Judges scheduled hearings in both cases for Tuesday to give state lawyers sufficient time to submit objections while still ensuring that the hearings occur before the law takes effect on Wednesday. The state must submit responses in defense of the law this week (AP/Google News, 9/23).

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