But the law says that if all relevant factors are equal and the choice is between a married couple or single adult, "placement preference shall be with a married man and woman."

Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, which lobbied on behalf of the legislation, defended its terms.

"It still enables single individuals to be foster parents, to be able to adopt," she said. "But it also gives, where all factors are equal, a chance for kids to have a mom and a dad."

Opponents said there are more children who need adoptive homes than prospective parents. They argued the legislation could end up leaving children in foster care who otherwise might find permanent homes with single parents.

The abortion legislation is likely the final word in a multi-year fight between the Arizona Board of Nursing and abortion foes, including the Center for Arizona Policy.

In 2008, after listening to complaints, the board concluded that nurse practitioners with certain specialized training are medically qualified to perform early-term abortions where the fetus is essentially vacuumed from the womb. But it took until this year for the Legislature to approve a bill stripping the board of its authority in that area and for the governor to sign it.