Bill > HB1610

This bill amends the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act and the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act to provide more clarity around medical emergencies and abortion regulations. The legislation introduces a detailed definition of "medical emergency" that requires physicians to use "reasonable medical judgment" when determining if a pregnancy termination is necessary to preserve a woman's life. The bill specifically clarifies that a medical emergency does not include conditions where alternative treatments can sustain the woman's life without ending the pregnancy, psychological or emotional conditions, or speculative diagnoses about potential future harm. The bill also defines "reasonable medical judgment" as a medical decision that a prudent, qualified physician would make given the specific case and treatment possibilities. Additionally, the legislation changes language around physician protections, stating that it is "not a violation" (rather than an "affirmative defense to prosecution") if a licensed physician provides medical treatment to a pregnant woman that accidentally or unintentionally results in injury or death to an unborn child. The legislative findings emphasize the intent to provide guidance and ensure that physicians can appropriately treat medical emergencies while protecting both the mother's and unborn child's lives.

Health and Social Services

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1610&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R