PHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -
A new lawsuit is trying to block enforcement of a key part of a new Arizona abortion law taking effect Aug. 2.
The lawsuit filed Thursday by abortion rights groups on behalf of three physicians targets provisions generally banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
"Once again, those who claim to be pro-women and concerned about women's health show a total disregard for the fact that abortions pose a bigger risk to women after 20 weeks pregnancy," said Cathi Herrod with Center for Arizona Policy.
CAP helped write House Bill 2036, otherwise known as the Mother's Health and Safety Act, before Gov. Jan Brewer signed it into law in April.
"This forces politicians and the government to interfere with these personal, private, often times devastating decisions that women and families have to make," said Alessandra Soler with American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona. The ACLU is a part of the legal group filing suit.
Maricopa County Attorney's Office spokesman Jerry Cobb said Thursday, "The county attorney is not aware of the lawsuit nor has he been served as a named party."
County Attorney Bill Montgomery was named on the complaint, along with Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall, the Arizona Medical Board and Board Executive Director Lisa Wynn.
Arizona now permits abortions until viability of the fetus, generally considered to be 22 to 24 weeks.
The lawsuit contends that the law's exception for health risks is too narrow and that the law interferes with healthcare at a time when most pregnant women undergo prenatal testing.
"Arizonans expect their attorney to vigorously defend the state's laws. As attorney general, I am committed to doing that, and this law will be no exception," Horne said in a statement Thursday.
At least six other states previously enacted similar bans.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
