Brnovich Said The Fetal Tissue Accusations Were “Something We Take Very Seriously.” According to the Associated Press, “Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday ordered Arizona's health department to review state laws and prepare emergency rules to prohibit the illegal sale of fetal tissue in response to a secretly recorded video that has revived the abortion debate in the U.S. Ducey's announcement Monday follows investigations announced by other states and congressional committees after the undercover video made by anti-abortion activists was released last week. The video shows a senior Planned Parenthood official discussing procedures for providing fetal body parts to researchers. […] Planned Parenthood-Arizona spokeswoman Annet Ruiter said the organization does not facilitate the collection of fetal tissues for research at its abortion clinics. ‘We do not participate in medical research. We do not,’ Ruiter said. Attorney General Mark Brnovich also weighed in on the issue, saying ‘this type of allegation is something we take very seriously.’” [Associated Press, 7/20/15]
Brnovich Approved A Rule Requiring Abortion Clinics To Report What Happens To The Remains Of Aborted Fetuses. According to the Arizona Republic, “Arizona abortion clinics must report to state health officials what happens to the remains of aborted fetuses, under a new temporary rule ordered by Gov. Doug Ducey and approved by Attorney General Mark Brnovich. If the fetal tissue is transferred to another person or entity, except for a funeral home or crematory, health officials must also disclose the identity, any compensation received for the tissue, and whether the patient agreed to the transfer. The questions have been added to forms that clinics are required to file with state health officials.” [Arizona Republic, 8/17/15]
Brnovich’s Office Asked A Federal Judge To Allow It To Pursue An Investigation Into Whether Anyone In Arizona Was Violating State Laws Dealing With Abortions And Fetal Remains. According to the Arizona Capitol Times, “The Attorney General's Office is asking a federal judge to allow it to pursue an investigation into whether anyone in Arizona is violating state laws dealing with abortions and fetal remains. In legal papers filed in federal court, Assistant Attorney General Maria Syms wants U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick to rule that his injunction barring the anti-abortion Center for Medical Progress from releasing more undercover videos does not apply to copies already being sought by prosecutors. Syms said her boss, Mark Brnovich, believes the injunction, unless amended, will impede his legal obligation to investigate whether state laws are being violated. The Attorney General's Office would not comment on what it is investigating other than to say it is a ‘possible violation of Arizona law.’” [Arizona Capitol Times, 9/2/15]
Gabrielle Goodrick, Owner Of Camelback Family Planning, Said She Was The Target Of A “Bizarre” State Investigation That Sought Unprecedented Information About The Identities Of Women Who Got Abortions And Donated Remains For Science. According to the Arizona Republic, “The Arizona abortion doctor at the center of a legal battle over fetal-tissue collection and patient rights said she is the target of a ‘bizarre’ state investigation that seeks unprecedented information about the identities of women who got abortions and donated remains for science. Gabrielle Goodrick, owner of Camelback Family Planning, an east Phoenix clinic that provides abortions and other medical care, has asked a judge to block state investigators from inspecting names and records of ‘patients who have had abortions and donated fetal tissue.’ Camelback Family Planning was the only clinic in Arizona to donate fetal tissue, Goodrick said. Arizona Planned Parenthood officials, unaffiliated with the Camelback clinic, have said their clinics do not participate in fetal-tissue donation. Goodrick filed a lawsuit Thursday in Maricopa County Superior Court challenging the state's ‘civil investigative demand’ requiring the center to produce information about fetal-tissue procurement and disposal. The suit also asks a judge to invalidate a subpoena that would force Goodrick to testify about patients under oath. If the court declines to intervene, the doctor's lawyers say, the clinic ‘will be required to disclose the names of and information about its patients.’” [Arizona Republic, 11/19/16]